Our jumping-off point is Bamidbar Rabbah 12, a fascinating exploration of the verse "On the day that [Moses] concluded." Now, you might think this is just a throwaway line, but the Rabbis saw something much deeper. They point out that the text doesn't say "on the day he erected" but "on the day he concluded" [kalot]. This, they suggest, hints at a deeper significance, maybe even that it was the day demons were eliminated [shekalu] from the world. Pretty powerful stuff. The text then brings in a verse from Proverbs (27:18): "The guardian of a fig tree will eat its fruit…" What does a fig tree have to do with anything? Well, the Rabbis use it as an analogy for Torah. Most trees, like olive, vine, or date, are harvested all at once. But a fig tree? You pick it little by little, over time. And that's how Torah learning is, too. We study a little today, a little more tomorrow. It's not learned in a year or two. It’s a lifelong process.
And who embodies this dedication? Joshua, Moses’s loyal attendant. "And his attendant, Joshua son of Nun, a lad, would not depart from within the tent" (Exodus 33:11). Joshua was the "guardian of the fig tree," diligently attending to Moses and absorbing his wisdom. And what's the "fruit" he gets to eat? Kingdom and dominion, as (Proverbs 8:15-16) tells us: "Through me kings reign…Through me rulers rule." This is understood as wisdom, or the Torah. Joshua inherited Moses's position not because of birthright, but because of his dedication. As (Numbers 27:18) says, "Take you Joshua the son of Nun…[and lay your hand upon him]." Because he attended to his master day and night, he merited the Divine Spirit. Bamidbar Rabbah emphasizes that the seemingly redundant phrase “Moses’ attendant” in (Joshua 1:1) is there to show us that this very service earned him prophecy.
But the message goes even deeper. The text assures us that God doesn’t withhold reward from anyone who toils and devotes their life to something. Solomon built the Temple, but (Psalms 30:1) says "A psalm, a song for the dedication of the Temple to David" – not Solomon! Why? Because David devoted his life to preparing for the Temple, as we see in (Psalms 132:1), 3-5: "Remember, Lord, for David, all of his afflictions.… I will not enter the roof of my house.… I will not give sleep to my eyes.… until I find a place for the Lord.” His passion and dedication were recognized.
Similarly, Moses devoted his life to three things: laws, Torah, and the Tabernacle, and they were all called by his name. The laws, as (Exodus 18:13) tells us, "Moses sat to judge the people…[from the morning until the evening]." The Torah, learned during his forty days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18), is forever linked to him: "Remember the Torah of Moses My servant" (Malachi 3:22). And the Tabernacle? Moses personally oversaw its construction, making sure everything was done according to God's instructions (Exodus 25:40, 39:43).
Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Yosef adds a fascinating detail: during the seven days of the Tabernacle's inauguration, Moses would erect and dismantle it twice each day, all by himself! It wasn't just that he erected it, but that he concluded its erecting. That's why the verse says, "On the day that Moses concluded." His personal involvement and meticulous dedication were paramount.
So, what’s the takeaway? Bamidbar Rabbah 12 isn't just about Moses and Joshua. It's about all of us. It’s a reminder that our efforts, our dedication, our tireless work towards something meaningful, will not go unnoticed. Whether it's learning Torah, building a community, or simply being a good friend, the "fruit" of our labor will eventually be revealed. God sees our efforts and honors our dedication. Keep tending your fig tree, because the harvest is coming.
Another matter: “On the day that [Moses] concluded” – it is not written here, “on the day that he erected,” but rather, “on the day that [Moses] concluded [kalot].” It was the day that demons were eliminated [shekalu] from the world. “It was on the day that Moses concluded…” – that is what is written: “The guardian of a fig tree will eat its fruit…” (Proverbs 27:18). It is speaking of Joshua, who attended to Moses, just as it says: “And his attendant, Joshua son of Nun, a lad, would not depart from within the tent” (Exodus 33:11). Why was the Torah likened to a fig tree? It is because most trees, the olive tree, the vine, the date tree, are each harvested all at once, while the fig tree is harvested little by little. So, the Torah, today one studies a little, and the next day a lot, because the Torah is not learned in one year nor in two. In its regard it is written: “The guardian of a fig tree.” What is “will eat its fruit”? The fruit of Torah is kingdom and dominion, as it is stated: “Through me kings reign…Through me rulers rule” (Proverbs 8:15–16).40Stated from the perspective of wisdom, or the Torah. That is what transpired for Joshua. Moses’ sons did not inherit his position; rather, Joshua inherited his position, just as it says: “Take you Joshua the son of Nun…[and lay your hand upon him]” (Numbers 27:18). “And the protector of his master will be honored” (Proverbs 27:18) – this is Joshua, who would attend to Moses day and night, just as it says: “Would not depart from within the tent.” And it says: “Moses, my master, restrain them” (Numbers 11:28);41Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp, and the content of their prophecy was not in keeping with the honor due Moses. Joshua turned to Moses to stop them. therefore, the Holy One blessed be He honored him. What honor did the Holy One blessed be He perform for him? Because this is what he said in Joshua’s regard: “Before Elazar the priest he shall stand, and he will inquire for him regarding the judgment of the Urim…” (Numbers 27:21). Because he attended to his master, he merited the Divine Spirit, as it is stated: “It was after the death of Moses, [servant of the Lord, that the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ attendant, saying]” (Joshua 1:1). The verse need not have said “Moses’ attendant.” Why is it stated? It is to say to you that because he was Moses’ attendant, he merited prophecy. That is, “will be honored.” Another matter: “The guardian of a fig tree [will eat its fruit]” (Proverbs 27:18) – the Holy One blessed be He does not withhold the reward of any creature. Any place that a person toils and devotes his life to a matter, the Holy One blessed be He does not withhold his reward. If you would like to know a proof, Solomon built the Temple, as it is stated: “Solomon built the Temple, and he completed it“ (I Kings 6:14). Because David devoted his life to the Temple that was built, as it is stated: “Remember, Lord, for David, all of his afflictions.… I will not enter the roof of my house.… I will not give sleep to my eyes.… until I find a place for the Lord” (Psalms 132:1, 3–5), the Holy One blessed be He did not withhold his reward, but rather He attributed it to his name. “A psalm, a song for the dedication of the Temple to David” (Psalms 30:1) – it is not written here, “to Solomon,” but “to David.” That is, “the guardian of a fig tree will eat its fruit.” Likewise, you find regarding Moses, who devoted his life to three matters and they were called by his name. These are laws, Torah, and the Tabernacle, as it is written: “Moses sat to judge the people…[from the morning until the evening]” (Exodus 18:13). They were called by his name, as it is written: “He performed the righteousness of the Lord, and His ordinances with Israel” (Deuteronomy 33:21). Torah, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Moses was at the mountaintop forty days [and forty nights]” (Exodus 24:18). It is called by his name, as it is stated: “Remember the Torah of Moses My servant” (Malachi 3:22). The Tabernacle, from where is it derived? It is because you find that Moses would circulate among the craftsmen at all hours of every day to teach them how to perform the labor so they would not err in its regard, because the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “See and craft in accordance with their form [that you are shown on the mountain]” (Exodus 25:40). Therefore, it is written regarding each and every item: “As the Lord commanded Moses,” as he would not move from overseeing them. Likewise it says: “Moses saw all the labor, [and behold, they had performed it; as the Lord had commanded, so they had performed], and Moses blessed them” (Exodus 39:43). What blessing did he recite? “May the grace of the Lord our God [be upon us, and our handiwork…]” (Psalms 90:17). He said to them: May the Divine Presence rest upon your handiwork. Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Yosef said: All seven days of the inauguration, Moses would erect the Tabernacle and dismantle it twice each day. If you say that an individual from the tribe of Levi would assist him, that is not so. Rather, the Sages said that he would put it in place and dismantle it, and no individual from Israel assisted him, as it is stated: “It was on the day that Moses concluded.” That is why it is called by his name, as it does not say: “On the day that he erected,” but rather, “on the day that [Moses] concluded [erecting]” – the day that his erecting concluded. It mentioned his name there. That is why it is stated: “That Moses concluded.”
