English of Core Text: “The Lord sent against the people the burning serpents.” Why punish them with serpents? Because the serpent was the first to speak slander and was cursed, and they did not learn from it. The Holy One said: Let the serpent that began with lashon hara come and exact punishment from the speakers of lashon hara.
On the daf / in context: Measure-for-measure: the serpent that slandered and was condemned to eat only dust (one taste) punishes those who complained about the manna (which could taste like many foods). Moshe’s prayer for them models that one of whom forgiveness is sought should not be cruel.
Type of Learning: Middah keneged middah / lashon haraWhat Is Learned: The seraph serpents are the fitting response to ingratitude and speech against Heaven; the remedy will require lifting the eyes heavenward.