The book of Bamidbar Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Numbers, delves into Moses' burning desire to witness the vengeance against Midian before his death. It all starts with the verse, "Take the vengeance" (Numbers 31:2). But what fueled this desire?
Bamidbar Rabbah connects this desire to a verse in Job: "He will not withdraw His eyes from the righteous, and kings upon the throne" (Job 36:7). What does it mean that God "will not withdraw His eyes from the righteous?" It means, the Rabbis suggest, that the Holy One, blessed be He, won't withhold from the righteous what their eyes long to see. Moses yearned to see justice served against Midian, and he pleaded with God to grant him this final glimpse.
And isn't that a deeply human desire? To see the fruits of your labor, the completion of a task, the consequences unfold? It speaks to our need for closure, for a sense of justice in the world.
The text even quotes, "The righteous one will rejoice in seeing vengeance" (Psalms 58:11), specifically referring to the vengeance against Midian. It continues, "He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked" (Psalms 58:11) – and here, the text specifies, this refers to Bilam.
Now, Bilam. He was no ordinary villain. Moses knew that the wicked Bilam would be present at the battle, attempting to use his sorcery to aid Midian. So, Moses instructed Pinḥas and the soldiers: "I know that the wicked Bilam is there to collect his payment. If the wolf comes to the flock, spread a net for him." It was a clever strategy.
The instructions were specific: "That wicked one, if you see that he is performing sorcery and flying in the air, show him the frontplate on which 'sacred to the Lord' (Exodus 28:36) is written. He will fall; and kill him." That frontplate, the tzitz, inscribed with kodesh l'Adonai, "Sacred to the Lord," was a powerful symbol.
And that's exactly what happened. "They killed the kings of Midian among [al] those they slayed" (Numbers 31:8) – as they were performing sorcery with Bilam and flying. When they saw the frontplate, they fell upon [al] their slain.
It's a dramatic scene, isn't it? The clash between the earthly and the divine, between sorcery and holiness. The power of a symbol, the tzitz, to bring down even the most powerful sorcerers.
So, what does this all mean? It reminds us of the importance of seeing things through, of the desire for justice, and the power of symbols. It also shows us the determination of Moses, a leader who, even at the end of his life, was deeply invested in ensuring the safety and well-being of his people, and that God will give us what we need when we need it. It's a powerful story about leadership, justice, and the enduring human need to see things come to a satisfying close.