Chukas-Balak: Days of Future Past

By Seth Jacobs​

When examining examples of leaders in Jewish history, one figure that consistently comes to mind is משה רבינו. Revered as the greatest leader, his prominence is emphasized by the פסוק found at the end of וזאת הברכה, which states, "ולא קם נביא עוד בישראל כמשה". To truly learn from the greatest Jewish leader, it is worthwhile to delve into the sole mistake made by משה and gain insights into his mindset.

​ We are familiar with the episode that occurred after מרים passed away. The Jews, in their distress, approached משה and אהרון and complained about the absence of water, now that מרים was no longer with them: "וַיֵּשֶׁב הָעָם, בְּקָדֵשׁ; וַתָּמָת שָׁם מִרְיָם, וַתִּקָּבֵר שָׁם. וְלֹא-הָיָה מַיִם, לָעֵדָה; וַיִּקָּהֲלוּ, עַל-מֹשֶׁה וְעַל-אַהֲרֹן" (במדבר 20:1-2). They expressed their concerns about the lack of water, which had been provided to them in the desert, and wondered how they would now quench their thirst. ה׳ instructed משה to speak to the rock, and water would flow forth. However, instead of following this directive, משה struck the rock, resulting in his punishment of being denied entry into the Promised Land.

​ The פסוק that raises questions is found in במדבר 20:8: "קַח אֶת-הַמַּטֶּה, וְהַקְהֵל אֶת-הָעֵדָה אַתָּה וְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ, וְדִבַּרְתֶּם אֶל-הַסֶּלַע לְעֵינֵיהֶם, וְנָתַן מֵימָיו" (במדבר 20:8). ה׳ instructed משה to take the staff, gather the nation, and speak to the rock, resulting in water flowing forth. The subsequent פסוק indicates that משה complied precisely as instructed: "וַיִּקַּח מֹשֶׁה אֶת-הַמַּטֶּה, מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה, כַּאֲשֶׁר, צִוָּהוּ" (במדבר 20:9). However, at this juncture, things began to go awry: "וַיָּרֶם מֹשֶׁה אֶת-יָדוֹ, וַיַּךְ אֶת-הַסֶּלַע בְּמַטֵּהוּ—פַּעֲמָיִם" (במדבר 20:11). משה raised his hand and struck the rock twice, and water gushed forth.

​ The question arises: What was the purpose of משה taking the staff if he was not meant to use it? One can envision משה standing there, holding a staff that ה׳ had commanded him to take. Anyone would assume that if ה׳ had instructed him to take something, it must serve a purpose.

​ To find an answer, we must journey back in time and explore the origin of משה's staff. We need to revisit the book of שמות. Moshe is a fugitive from Egypt, having sought refuge with his father-in-law, יתרו. Suddenly, משה is called upon by ה׳ to liberate the Jews from Egypt.

​ Prior to this pivotal conversation with ה׳, a seemingly simple question was posed to משה. In שמות 4:2, it states: "וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו יְהוָה, מזה בְיָדֶךָ; וַיֹּאמֶר, מַטֶּה" (שמות 4:2). ה׳ asked משה, "What is that in your hand?" משה responded, "a staff." On that day, all משה held was a common walking stick. Yet, in the eyes of ה׳, it must have carried profound significance; otherwise, why would ה׳ have posed such a seemingly simple question?

​ According to the Midrash, a remarkable story unfolds, shedding light on the staff's true nature: When משה first arrived at his father-in-law's tent and sought Tzipora's hand in marriage, יתרו made an unusual demand. He told משה that he could only marry his daughter if he could extract a staff from his garden. Perceiving the peculiarity of this condition, Tzipora explained to משה that the stick had been bestowed upon Adam in the Garden of Eden. Adam passed it on to Chanoch, who in turn gave it to Methuselah. It then made its way to Noah, who transferred it to his son Shem, and from Shem to Abraham. The staff continued its journey from Abraham to Isaac, and then to Jacob, who brought it with him to Egypt. Jacob ultimately bequeathed the staff to Joseph, and upon Joseph's death, all his possessions were transferred to Pharaoh's domain. Fascinated by the staff, one of Pharaoh's advisors, יתרו, claimed it and firmly lodged it in the ground of his Midianite Garden. From that point onward, no one could extract the staff until משה arrived and successfully pulled it out. The staff that משה liberated from יתרו's garden was not an ordinary staff; it was a staff directly connected to the beginning of time, fashioned by ה׳ Himself.

​ Upon concluding his conversation with Hashem, משה embarked on his mission, accompanied by his staff. Through that staff, he performed miraculous signs and wonders, parting the Red Sea and striking the rock to bring forth water. The staff represented the connection between משה and his past, symbolizing the covenant between ה׳ and the Jewish people. It was a tangible link to his roots and the promise of the land that lay before him.

​ Now we return to the incident at the rock. ה׳ instructed משה to speak to the rock, not to strike it. By striking the rock, משה failed to fulfill ה׳'s command and compromised the symbolism of the staff. His act was a departure from his true essence as a leader, representing a momentary lapse in his connection to his past and the Divine directive.

​ From this story, we can glean a profound lesson about our own connection to our past and roots. Each of us carries a unique heritage, a lineage of experiences and values that have shaped our identity. By understanding and embracing our history, we can forge a stronger bond with our roots and draw strength from the wisdom of our ancestors. Just as משה's staff represented his connection to the Divine and the promise of the Promised Land, our heritage serves as a compass guiding us on our journey.

​ In conclusion, as we explore the narratives of Jewish leaders like משה, we discover more than just lessons in leadership. We uncover the importance of staying connected to our past and recognizing the significance of our roots. By nurturing this connection, we can navigate our present and future with a deeper sense of purpose and understanding, carrying forward the legacy of those who came before us.