It’s a deeply human dilemma, and it appears even in the stories of our greatest leaders. to a fascinating passage from Bamidbar Rabbah, specifically section 22, to uncover just such a moment with Moses himself.

The verse we're looking at is from Numbers 31:6: “Moses sent them, one thousand per tribe to the army, them and Pinḥas son of Elazar the priest to the army, with the holy vessels and the trumpets for sounding in his hand.” This is right before the Israelites are about to wage war against the Midianites. Now, God tells Moses, "Take the vengeance" (Numbers 31:2). So why doesn't Moses lead the charge himself? Why send others?

Bamidbar Rabbah offers a compelling reason. You see, Moses spent a significant part of his early life in Midian, finding refuge and even marrying there. The text suggests that Moses felt a sense of loyalty. As the text puts it, "It is not right that I should cause anguish to one who treated me well." There's even a beautiful parable: "Do not throw a stone into a well from which you have drunk." Isn't that a powerful image?

Now, some commentators argue that this wasn't the same Midian where Moses had lived, that this Midian was situated alongside Moab and already in ruins. But regardless, the sentiment remains – a hesitation to harm those who had once offered kindness.

And what about Pinḥas? Why was he sent? The text gives a pretty direct answer: "The one who began with the mitzva, let him complete it." Mitzva, meaning a commandment or good deed. Pinḥas had already demonstrated his zeal for God by taking action against the Midianite woman and stopping a plague. "He caused His wrath to be withdrawn and smote the Midianite woman; let him complete his mitzva." It makes a certain kind of sense. The verse also mentions "the holy [hakodesh] vessels." What were these? Some say it refers to the Ark of the Covenant, citing Numbers 7:9: “Because the sacred [hakodesh] service [is upon them, they shall bear on the shoulder].” Rabbi Yoḥanan, however, offers a different interpretation. He suggests these were the priestly vestments, including the Urim and Tumim – objects used for divination – referencing Exodus 29:29: “And Aaron’s holy [hakodesh] vestments.”

The Israelites are victorious. Numbers 31:7 tells us, “They campaigned against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and they killed every male.” And then, a particularly interesting detail arises in Numbers 31:8: “They killed the kings of Midian…and Bilam son of Beor they killed by sword.”

Bilam! What was he doing there? According to the text, "He went to collect his payment for the twenty-four thousand." This refers to the advice Bilam gave to Balak, which led to the Israelites sinning and a plague that killed twenty-four thousand (see Numbers 25:9 and Sanhedrin 106a). Bamidbar Rabbah quotes Proverbs 26:27 in this context: “He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will return onto him.” A fitting end for a man who plotted the downfall of others.

After the battle, “They took all the spoils and all the plunder of man and of animal” (Numbers 31:11). But here’s the thing: “They brought to Moses, and to Elazar the priest…the captives, the plunder, and the spoils…(Numbers 31:12)." The text emphasizes their integrity: “to inform you of their praiseworthiness, that they did not take anything from the loot without permission; rather, they brought it before them and then they took.”

Finally, we see Moses, Elazar, and the princes going out to meet the returning army. "Moses, Elazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation came out to meet them" (Numbers 31:13). The Rabbah highlights Moses' humility in this act, pointing out that these princes "were all the disciples of his disciples."

So, what can we take away from all this? It's a story filled with moral complexities. Loyalty versus duty. Divine command versus personal feelings. Integrity in the face of temptation. It reminds us that even our greatest leaders wrestled with difficult choices, and that even in war, there are moments of surprising humanity, and devastating justice. It's a reminder that even in the heat of battle, integrity and humility can – and should – prevail.