What Would Moshe Have Done? Part One

Jun 30th, 2011 by Rabbi Simcha Weinberg in Spiritual Growth

2 Comments

Greek Warship

In the year 427 B.C.E., a ship sailed from Athens for the Greek island of Mytilene, a region that had revolted against Athenian rule and lost. They had colluded with Athens’s greatest rival, Sparta. The soldiers on the warship were instructed to kill every Mytilenian and enslave every woman and child. However, back home in Athens a great debate raged whether such a harsh response was the proper strategy. Cleon, son of Cleaenetus, argued that to show mercy is to show weakness, and being perceived as weak would only invite further rebellion. Cleon insisted that Athens must project strength and determination. Diodotus, son of Eucrates, argued that the intended slaughter will only incite more desperate rebellion and convince others to fight to the bitter end rather than surrender since they would be annihilated even if they surrendered. Future conflicts would almost certainly last longer and be more costly in both lives and treasure. A vote was taken and Diodotus won the day. A quicker ship was sent to stop the warship.

We can hear echoes of Cleon and Diodotus in the commentaries reading of two stories in Parashat Chukat: Moshe backed down from a conflict with Edom, He requested permission from Edom’s king for Israel to pass through his territory and was refused. Moshe would not battle Edom, the rightful heir of Esau in the land Jacob’s brother received as his inheritance. (Numbers 20:14-21) Moshe avoided conflict with Edom only to face Sihon, king of the Amorite, a short while later. Moshe sent a similar request to Sihon: “Allow us to pass through your land.” Sihon refused and gathered his armies believing that he would successfully intimidate Israel and stop the traveling nation at his borders. Sihon was wrong. Israel fought and Sihon was destroyed. (21:21-24)

Did Sihon perceive Moshe and Israel as weak willed because of their detour around Edom and their unwillingness to fight? Would Sihon have avoided battle if Israel had warred and won against Edom?

The Cleons argue that Moshe was responsible for the conflict with Sihon because he did not project strength and determination. Diodotus and his followers supported Moshe’s actions.

We continue to debate the arguments of Cleon and Diodotus: The 2006 war in Lebanon against Hezbollah, and the recent war in Gaza against Hamas, were intended to project Israel’s unbending will and determination. What would Moshe have done? Would we have seen the Moshe who avoided battle with Edom? Or, would the Moshe who destroyed Sihon have led us into battle?

There are times when we forget that the stories of the Torah continue to resonate in practical ways on the world stage and in our lives.

Author Info:

Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

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2 Comments

• moshe stepansky Jun 28, 2009 at 9:40 pm

  As R’ Leibele Eiger, one of the great Chassidic Masters from Lublin, is fond of writing is his sefer ‘Toras Emes’-”The Torah is eternal” and speaks to us afresh every day.

  The 2006 2nd Lebanon War ostensibly began in reaction to the actions of the unfriendlies who kidnapped The 2 Israeli soldiers Regev and Goldwasser z”l.
  In P’ Chukat (21,1-3) right after Aharon ascends to Hor HaHar and descends no more, the Amaleki’s in guise of being C’na’ani’s from the South(per Rash”i) pounce on Israel and capture 1 maidservant (Rash”i again). Interestingly, Moshe’s name is NOT mentioned in this brief episode! “Israel vowed to G-d, If you will deliver these folks into our hand,we will devote the spoils to You. G-d hearkened to Israel’s prayer, delivered the ‘ C’na’ani’s ‘ and their cities and Israel set aside the spoils to G-d and the named the nexus ‘ Khormah’.
  Points to emphasize in this episode:
  1.Israel was vulnerable since their protective shields i.e. the Clouds of Glory, were gone with Aharon’s departure. (they did not know they would return by Moshe’s merit)
  2.This was not the same generation that exited Egypt while under the slave mentality, who were so immobilized by Amalek’s initial attack. Then,Moshe had to take charge directing Y’hoshua to gather a representative force to battle and Moshe would be overlooking the battle and praying to G-d (Sh’mot 17, 8-13)
  3.Clearly, this is the generation who is ready for the entrance into Eretz Yisrael; whose willingness to face battle through partnership with, and under the guidance of G-d is essential for the challenges yet to be faced.
  The contrast to the 2006 action is noticeable= tremendous disorganiztion on the Israeli side, no unity of direction whether at the political level or in the field with the results of relatively high casualties.

  Frankly,I do not believe one can compare the recent Gaza war to Moshe’s time, because it came in response (finally!!!!) to the years of incessant shelling of southern Israel. I find it hard to designate that ‘it was intended to project Israel’s will and determination’ ==>in matters of military brinksmanship, timing is everything.When Israel finally attacked the major benefit was that the country was united and there were highly publicized accounts of nonobservant soldiers having overt ‘attacks of holiness’reaching out to some connection with G-d. (not to say, that their essence of being Israeli soldiers ready to put their lives on the line in defence,isn’t holy enough!!!!)
  If anything, I would compare the Gaza campaign to Barak and D’vora HaN’vi’ah ’s campaign against Yavin and his general Sisra who for 20 years waged the equivalent of guerilla warfare against Israel. (Shoftim chapters 4 and 5)

  Unfortunately,in the case of modern day Israel, the unwillingness to fight, has been interpreted as a MAJOR weakness by the other side. When Israel pulled out of Lebanon in 2000 or unilaterally left the Gaza Strip (while harshly dislocating 8000+ citizens who had been directed by previous governments to make their lives there as part of the national mission to settle Eretz Yisrael and for Israel’s security) = the other side did not perceive Israel acting from a position of strength, but as a result of weakness. Naturally, it also did not help that the top elected Israeli official kept making defeatest public comments e.g. ‘we are tired of winning’.

  What would Moshe do? Know thine enemy and put your faith HaShem and act accordingly. Unify the People.
• Judaica Store Jun 15, 2010 at 9:25 am

  Great article Rabbi Weinberg. I really enjoy your blog.
  You should write a book.