English of Core Text: “Moses raised his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice.” He struck once; the rock began dripping scant water… They said to him, “Son of Amram, is this water for nursing infants or for weaned children?” Immediately he became impatient with them and struck it twice, and abundant water came forth.
On the daf / in context: Tanchuma and Bamidbar Rabbah explain the double strike: the first produced only drops (like a zav); the people’s mockery provoked the second strike. The midrash also notes Moshe’s dilemma when the people challenged him to produce water from a rock of their choosing, and the multiple senses of hamorim (rebels / fools / those who instruct their teachers).
Type of Learning: Narrative derasha / cause of the sin at Mei MerivahWhat Is Learned: The double striking and the people’s taunt are midrashically linked to Moshe’s impatience; the episode is the classic locus of the decree that Moshe and Aharon would not enter the Land.