“Moses said to Joshua: Choose men for us and go out and wage war with Amalek; tomorrow I will be standing on top of the hill and the staff of God will be in my hand” (Exodus 17:9). “Moses said to Joshua: Choose men for us.” Why to Joshua? Primarily, you expound that he was seeking to instruct him in war because he was destined to take Israel into the Land.
Another matter, why Joshua? He said to him: ‘It was by means of your grandfather7Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim, who was a son of Joseph. The Israelites descended to Egypt due to the strife between Joseph and his brothers. that they descended to Egypt, go and engage in war with the one who attacked them in their ascent from Egypt.’ Another matter, why Joshua?
He said to him: ‘Your grandfather said: “I fear God” (Genesis 42:18), and regarding this one8Amalek. it is written: “And not God-fearing” (Deuteronomy 25:18). Let the grandson of the one who said: “I fear God,” come and exact vengeance from the one in whose regard it is stated: “And not God-fearing.”’ “Choose men for us.” What is the meaning of “men”?
Men of wisdom and who fear sin. “Go out and wage war with Amalek,” from here you learn that they were beneath the clouds of glory, as one says “go out” only to those who are located inside. “The staff of God will be in my hand.” He said to him: ‘This staff is in my hand, as the Omnipresent said that it should be in my hand always.’
Another matter, “the staff of God will be in my hand.” ‘When Aaron performed miracles with it, it was called by his name, as it is stated: “The staff of Aaron” (Exodus 7:12). When I performed miracles with it, it was called by my name. When the Holy One blessed be He performs miracles, it is called by His name, as it is stated: “The staff of God.”’