Why Joshua Cast Lots to Defeat Amalek in the Wilderness

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Yitro 4:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, etc." (Exodus 17:11). What was the end of the matter? "And Joshua weakened (wa-yachalosh), etc." (Exodus 17:13). Rabbi Berekhyah the Priest said: He cast lots over them. A lot is called by four names: goral, pur, chevel, and cholesh.

Themes

JoshuaWarExodusMosesEgypt

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Ben SiraAccount of MosheYehoshua Ben Nun – Joshua, son of Nun – a figure who embodies that very idea. Ben Sira, in his wisdom, paints a vivid picture of Yehoshua. He calls him "a warriLegends of the JewsJoshua Overcomes His Self-Doubt to Fight AmalekCan I really do this?" It's a universal struggle, and even Joshua, the future leader of Israel, felt it. Our story unfolds just after the miraculous crossing ofLegends of the JewsJoshua the Fool Who Became Moses's Worthy SuccessorTake Joshua, for example. Initially, he wasn't exactly known for his brilliance. In fact, some called him a fool! But he served Moses faithfully. And as we readMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelIn His Reading, the Haste of the Passover Meal BelongsRabbi Yehoshua disagrees. In his reading, the "haste" of the Passover meal belongs to the Israelites themselves, not to the Egyptians. And he flips the proof teMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelIt Shall Be If Your Son Asks YouWhen the Torah says "tomorrow," does it mean the next day or some distant point in the future? The Mekhilta demonstrates that the word carries both meanings, deMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelChamushim Did the Children of Israel Go UpThis Mekhilta passage parses the word "chamushim" in the verse "And chamushim did the children of Israel go up from the land of Egypt" (Exodus 13:18). The sages