When Moses Raised His Hands and Israel Prevailed

"And it came to pass, when Moses raised his hand, that Israel prevailed" (Exodus 17:11). Rabbi Eliezer says: Do the hands of Moses make Israel prevail, or do his hands break Amalek? Rather, at the time when Israel does the will of the Omnipresent and believes in what the Omnipresent commanded Moses, the Omnipresent performs for them miracles and mighty acts. Similarly you say: "And they shall take of the blood and put it on the two doorposts" (Exodus 12:7). What does the blood benefit the angel, and what does it benefit the doorpost? Rather, whenever Israel does the will of the Omnipresent and believes in what Moses commanded them to do, the Omnipresent has mercy on them. Similarly, "And the LORD said to Moses, Make for yourself a fiery serpent" (Numbers 21:8) and so forth. Does the serpent kill and give life? Rather, whenever Israel does the will of the Omnipresent and believes in what He commanded them, they are healed. Another explanation: "And it came to pass, when Moses raised his hand" Rabbi Akiva says: When Moses raised his hand, he hinted that Israel was destined to exalt the words of Torah, and they prevail; and when he lowered his hand, it was as if to say that Israel was destined to debase the words of Torah, and they do not prevail.