[Avodah] how many died in the Midbar each year?

[Zev Sero]

Galsaba at aol.com wrote:
> Reading Ta'anit Daf 30, I do not understand how many died each year.
> I read Mefarshim that calculated simple.  60 Ribbo / 40 years = 1.5 
> Ribbo a year = 1,500.

You mean 15,000.


> Then I read Tossafot that says 21,000.

Where did you read this Tosfot?


> One of the explanations I heard is that the 40 years are calculated
> from leaving Egypt. As the spies were sent on the second year, and
> the gezera was made thirs year, then we have 38 years left.  The last
> one was  forgiven, now 37.  9 years out of the 40 Tish'sh B'Av fell
> on Shabbat,

Why would that be?  Out of 37 years, only 5 or maybe 6 should have been
on Shabbat.  They decided each month separately, so even if we were to
suppose (based on no reason I can think of) they manipulated Tishri to
avoid ADU as we do, that would not affect Av.

-- 
Zev Sero               Something has gone seriously awry with this Court's
zev at sero.name          interpretation of the Constitution.
                       	                          - Clarence Thomas