The Book of Bamidbar Rabbah (Numbers Rabbah), in its 15th section, delves into just that, using the seemingly simple instruction of crafting silver trumpets as a springboard.
"Craft for you two silver trumpets" (Numbers 10:2) – this command, according to the Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary), ties directly into the verse, "Fear the Lord, my son, and the king" (Proverbs 24:21). But what does it mean to "fear the king"? Is it blind obedience?
The Midrash offers a fascinating interpretation: "Crown Him king over you." But it doesn't stop there. It presents an alternative: "Crown the good inclination over the evil inclination." That’s a king worth listening to. After all, as we learn in Nedarim 32b, the "great king" mentioned in (Ecclesiastes 9:14) ("A great king came to it and surrounded it") can be interpreted as the evil inclination itself!
But what happens when the earthly king commands something that goes against our deepest values, against our faith? Is obedience still required? The text anticipates this very question. "Is it, perhaps, that if the king will say to you: ‘Engage in idol worship,’ you should heed him?" Absolutely not. "The verse states: 'Fear the Lord.'"
The Midrash then recounts the famous story of Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), who defied Nebuchadnezzar's command to worship an idol. Nebuchadnezzar, infuriated, reminds them that they themselves used to direct idol-seekers to Jerusalem (referencing (Isaiah 10:1)0). He even questions if they aren't supposed to obey his every command.
Their response is iconic: "You are our king for taxes and land taxes, but as far as engaging in idol worship, you and a dog are equal." (Daniel 3:16). They declare their unwavering faith in God, even if He chooses not to save them from the fiery furnace. Their loyalty to God supersedes any earthly authority. "We will not worship your gods" (Daniel 3:18).
The Midrash extends this idea further, warning against aligning with those who believe in multiple deities – those who are "different." Such beliefs, it says, are destined to be eliminated (Zechariah 13:8). In contrast, "Israel will be the third…in the midst of the land" (Isaiah 19:24). Loyalty to the One God brings ultimate security.
But there’s a beautiful twist. The Midrash suggests that fearing God can actually lead to becoming a king! We see this in the examples of Abraham and Moses. Because Abraham feared God (Genesis 22:12), he became a king, as evidenced by the "valley of the king" (Genesis 14:17). The people "agreed [shehishvu]" and made him their leader. Similarly, Moses, known for his unwavering devotion to God, also achieved a kingly status.
So, going back to those silver trumpets… The Midrash concludes that crafting them is about more than just signaling. It's about recognizing true authority, both earthly and divine. The trumpets herald the leader, but the leader's authority ultimately stems from a higher power. To "fear the Lord" isn't just about reverence; it's about aligning ourselves with truth and justice, even when it's difficult. It’s about recognizing that true leadership emerges from a place of deep and abiding faith. What kind of "king" are we crowning in our own lives? Is it the good inclination, the pursuit of justice, the unwavering faith? Or are we bowing down to lesser idols?
Another matter, “craft for you two silver trumpets” – this is what the verse said: “Fear the Lord, my son, and the king” (Proverbs 24:21). What is “and the king”? Crown Him king over you. Alternatively, “and the king” – crown the good inclination over the evil inclination, that is called king, as it is stated: “A great king came to it and surrounded it” (Ecclesiastes 9:14).7See Nedarim 32b, where the great king is identified as the evil inclination. Another matter, “and the king” – is it, perhaps, that if the king will say to you: ‘Engage in idol worship,’ you should heed him? The verse states: “Fear the Lord.” So we found regarding Nebuchadnezzar, who said to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya to engage in idol worship, but they did not heed him. They said to him: “We will not worship your god, and we will not prostrate ourselves to the golden image that you have erected” (Daniel 3:18). Nebuchadnezzar said to them: ‘“Is that so, Shadrakh, Meshakh, and Aved Nego?” (Daniel 3:14). Is that so? Yesterday you said: Anyone who seeks to acquire an idol would go to Jerusalem, as it is stated: “And their idols from Jerusalem and Samaria” (Isaiah 10:10), and now you come to render my idol nothingness? "Is that so Shadrakh, Meshakh, and Aved Nego?” Did the Holy One blessed be He not say to you that you should heed everything that the kingdom says to you, as it is stated: “I keep the king's directive, and the word of an oath to God”?’ (Ecclesiastes 8:2). They said to him: ‘You are our king for taxes and land taxes, but as far as engaging in idol worship, you and a dog are equal.’ “Shadrakh, Meshakh, and Aved Nego spoke, saying to the king: Nebuchadnezzar” (Daniel 3:16). They said only: “Nebuchadnezzar. We have no need to reply to you in this matter. Behold our God, whom we worship, exists; He…will deliver us from your hand, king. Behold, if not…” (Daniel 3:16–18), whether He rescues us or does not rescue us, “let it be known to you, king, that we will not worship your gods” (Daniel 3:18). That is, “fear the Lord, my son, and the king.” “With those who are different do not become involved” (Proverbs 24:21); with those who say there are two deities in the world, do not become involved with them, as their ultimate plight is to be eliminated from the world, as it is stated: “It will be in all the land, the utterance of the Lord, that two portions of it will be eliminated and perish, and the third will remain in it” (Zechariah 13:8). What is “the third”? These are Israel: “On that day Israel will be the third…in the midst of the land” (Isaiah 19:24). That is, “fear the Lord, my son, and the king.” But anyone who fears the Lord will ultimately become king. From whom do you derive this? It is from Abraham. Because he feared the Lord, he became king, as it is stated: “I know that you are God-fearing” (Genesis 22:12). From where is it derived that he became king? It is, as it is stated: “To the valley of Shaveh, it is the valley of the king” (Genesis 14:17). What is “Shaveh”? They all agreed [shehishvu] and took counsel, chopped down cedar trees, crafted a throne, and seated him as king over them. Do not say that it is Abraham alone, but even Moses, who feared God, became king. That is why it is written: “Fear the Lord, my son, and the king.”8The midrash is interpreting the verse to mean "fear the Lord, my son, and become a king" (Matnot Kehuna). “Craft for you two silver trumpets” – so they will sound them before you like a king.
