The Staff of Sapphire and the Things Israel Misjudged

Another interpretation: "Pass on before the people" and let your platform speak, "and take with you of the elders of Israel" (Exodus 17:5) as testimony, that they should not say there were springs already there. "And your staff with which you struck" the Nile, because of the murmurings. This is one of three things over which Israel used to murmur, saying that they were instruments of calamity, and these are they: the incense, the ark, and the staff. They said: This incense is a thing of calamity; it killed Nadab and Abihu, as it is said, "And the sons of Aaron took" and so forth (Leviticus 10:1). Therefore they learned that it brings atonement, as it is said, "And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people" (Numbers 17:12). The ark they said was a thing of calamity; it struck Uzzah and the men of Beth-shemesh, as it is said, "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah" (II Samuel 6:7), and it is written, "And He struck the men of Beth-shemesh" (I Samuel 6:19). Therefore they learned that it is a thing of blessing, as it is said, "And the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom" (II Samuel 6:11). They said: This staff of sapphire brought ten plagues upon the Egyptians and ten at the sea. Therefore let them learn that it is a thing of miracles. "And your staff with which you struck the Nile," because of the murmurings. Rabbi Abbahu said: Whoever leads his fellow to a matter of a commandment, Scripture credits it to him as though he had done it himself, as it is said, "And your staff with which you struck the Nile." But did Moses strike? Did not Aaron strike? Rather, this is to teach you that whoever leads his fellow to a matter of a commandment, Scripture credits it to him as though he had done it himself.