Parshat Vaera

Why does G-d so often speak to Moses, and then add the word ‘saying’?

This is one of the most frequently found verses in the Torah. Why though does the verse need to finish with the word ‘laimor / saying’?

This question is tackled by Ramban (acronym for Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman – Spain/Israel 1194-1270). Ramban starts by quoting another celebrated contemporary of his, Radak (Rabbi David Kimche 1160-1235, Provence), who wrote in his Sefer HaShorashim that ‘laimor’ generally means ‘say to Israel’.

Ramban however demurs, particularly given the context of this verse which itself precedes an instruction to Moshe to speak to Pharaoh.

Ramban writes instead that ‘laimor’ is used to clarify a matter, to state it clearly without using any allusions or hints. Using the example of Lavan’s description of his communication with G-d, when speaking to Jacob (Bereishit 31,29), Ramban holds that this explanation of ‘laimor’ seems to fit throughout the Torah.

Whenever ‘laimor’ is used, it shows that the context is speaking of clear and direct information, without any allusions or hinting as to the information. When used towards Moses, it emphasises that Moses merited the a clearer level of communication with G-d than any other prophet achieved, as the Torah attests, ‘mouth to mouth I will speak to Him, in a clear vision and not in riddles’ (Bamidbar 12,8).