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Exodus 17:9 - Moshe's strategy against Amalek?

Exodus 17:9 - שמות 17:9

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בְּחַר־לָנוּ אֲנָשִׁים וְצֵא הִלָּחֵם בַּעֲמָלֵק מָחָר אָנֹכִי נִצָּב עַל־רֹאשׁ הַגִּבְעָה וּמַטֵּה הָאֱלֹהִים בְּיָדִי׃

English Translation

And Moshe said to Yehoshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with ῾Amaleq: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Moshe el-Yehoshua bechar-lanu anashim v'tze hilachem ba'Amaleik machar anochi nitzav al-rosh hagiv'ah u'mateh ha'Elohim b'yadi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֤ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ בְּחַר־לָ֣נוּ אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְצֵ֖א הִלָּחֵ֣ם בַּעֲמָלֵ֑ק מָחָ֗ר אָנֹכִ֤י נִצָּב֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הַגִּבְעָ֔ה וּמַטֵּ֥ה הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּיָדִֽי׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֤ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ בְּחַר־לָ֣נוּ אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְצֵ֖א הִלָּחֵ֣ם בַּעֲמָלֵ֑ק מָחָ֗ר אָנֹכִ֤י נִצָּב֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הַגִּבְעָ֔ה וּמַטֵּ֥ה הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּיָדִֽי׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Battle with Amalek

This verse (Shemot 17:9) describes Moshe's instructions to Yehoshua before the battle against Amalek. According to Rashi, Amalek attacked Bnei Yisrael shortly after their exodus from Egypt, despite witnessing the miracles of the Exodus and the splitting of the Red Sea. This attack demonstrated Amalek's brazen defiance of Hashem, making their defeat a moral and spiritual imperative.

Moshe's Role in the Battle

Moshe tells Yehoshua to select men for battle while he ascends the hill with the "rod of God" (מַטֵּה הָאֱלֹהִים). The Ramban explains that Moshe's presence on the hill was not passive—rather, his prayers and the raising of the rod symbolized divine intervention. The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 29a) teaches that when Moshe's hands were raised, Bnei Yisrael prevailed, demonstrating that their success depended on spiritual devotion and divine assistance, not just military strength.

The Significance of Yehoshua's Leadership

Moshe entrusts Yehoshua with leading the battle, foreshadowing Yehoshua's future role as Moshe's successor. The Midrash (Mechilta) notes that Yehoshua was chosen because he was already a proven warrior, having fought against Amalek earlier (see Shemot 17:13). This moment marks the beginning of Yehoshua’s transition into leadership, preparing him to guide Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael.

The Rod of God

The "rod of God" (מַטֵּה הָאֱלֹהִים) is the same staff used during the plagues of Egypt and the splitting of the sea. Rashi explains that its presence symbolized Hashem’s authority and power. By holding it aloft, Moshe reinforced that the battle was not merely physical but a spiritual struggle against Amalek’s ideology of cruelty and doubt in Hashem’s providence.

Spiritual Lessons

  • Unity of Physical and Spiritual Efforts: The battle required both Yehoshua’s military action and Moshe’s prayers, teaching that success in life depends on both hishtadlut (human effort) and emunah (faith in Hashem).
  • Amalek as an Eternal Enemy: The Torah commands us to remember Amalek’s attack (Devarim 25:17-19), symbolizing the ongoing struggle against those who seek to undermine faith in Hashem.
  • Leadership Transition: Moshe’s delegation to Yehoshua models the importance of preparing future leaders with both wisdom and experience.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 29a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the power of Moshe's prayer and the significance of his stance during the battle with Amalek.
📖 Sanhedrin 20b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the leadership roles of Moshe and Yehoshua, particularly in the context of war and divine support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse mean when it says Moshe will stand on the hill with the rod of God?
A: According to Rashi, Moshe holding the rod of God on the hill symbolized divine assistance in the battle against Amalek. When Moshe raised his hands (with the rod), the Israelites prevailed, showing that their success depended on connecting to Hashem's power, not just military strength.
Q: Why did Moshe tell Yehoshua to choose men to fight Amalek?
A: The Midrash explains that Yehoshua (later the leader of Israel) was chosen to lead this battle as preparation for his future role. Moshe instructed him to select righteous men of strong faith, as the battle required both physical and spiritual strength against Amalek, who attacked the weak and disconnected Israelites.
Q: What is the significance of the battle against Amalek in this verse?
A: The Rambam teaches that Amalek represents doubt and coldness toward holiness. This first battle symbolizes the eternal struggle against evil and apathy. The verse shows that victory requires both physical effort (Yehoshua's army) and spiritual devotion (Moshe's prayers).
Q: Why does the verse say 'tomorrow' I will stand on the hill? Why not immediately?
A: Rashi explains that Moshe delayed until tomorrow to show that this wasn't a spontaneous reaction, but a calculated divine plan. It also gave time to inspire the people to repent and strengthen their faith before the battle, as their spiritual state affected the outcome.
Q: How does this verse apply to our lives today?
A: The Talmud (Rosh Hashana 29a) derives from this that we must combine hishtadlut (human effort) and tefillah (prayer) when facing challenges. Like Yehoshua fighting and Moshe praying, we must take practical action while recognizing our dependence on Hashem. The battle against Amalek's ideology continues in every generation.