The verse in question comes from Proverbs 31:29: "Many women have performed valiantly, but you have surpassed them all." But who is the "you" being referred to here? According to this midrash – this interpretive story – it's none other than Moses. But why Moses? What made him greater than all those who came before? The text unfolds a series of imagined dialogues between Moses and some of the most significant figures in Jewish history: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Each encounter highlights a unique aspect of Moses's unparalleled greatness.
First, Adam, the first man, boasts of being created in God's image, as stated in Genesis 1:27: "God created man in His own image." Moses counters that while Adam was indeed created in God's image, he lost that glory. As Psalm 49:13 says, "Man [Adam] does not abide in honor." Moses, on the other hand, retained the radiance of his face, a gift from God, until his very last day. Deuteronomy 34:7 confirms this: "His eye had not dimmed, and his vitality had not departed."
Next, Noah, the survivor of the Flood, claims superiority for being saved from utter destruction. But Moses retorts that Noah only saved himself, while he, Moses, saved his entire generation from annihilation after the sin of the Golden Calf. Exodus 32:14 tells us, "The Lord reconsidered the evil that He had spoken of doing to His people." The midrash illustrates this with a parable of two ships, each with a captain. One captain saves himself but loses his ship, while the other saves both himself and his ship. Which captain is more praiseworthy? Clearly, the one who saves both.
Then comes Abraham, renowned for his hospitality. He says to Moses: ‘I am greater than you, as I would provide sustenance to the passersby.’ Moses responds that while Abraham provided for all, circumcised or uncircumcised, he, Moses, provided sustenance for the circumcised in the wilderness.
Isaac, who willingly offered himself as a sacrifice, claims he saw the Shekhinah – the Divine Presence – on the altar. Moses acknowledges this but points out that Isaac's vision dimmed afterward, as Genesis 27:1 states, "It was when Isaac was old, his eyes dimmed from seeing." The midrash interprets "from seeing" as referring to seeing the Divine Presence. Moses, however, spoke with God face to face, and his eyes did not dim. Exodus 34:29 tells us that Moses himself "did not know that the skin of his face was radiant" after these encounters.
Finally, Jacob, who wrestled with an angel and prevailed, asserts his greatness. Moses responds that Jacob wrestled with an angel in his own territory, whereas Moses ascended to the angels’ realm, and even they feared him! As Psalm 68:13 says, "The kings of armies [malkhei tzevaot]" – interpreted here as angels – "flee again and again…"
The midrash concludes that because Moses was exalted above all others, he was worthy to bless Israel. Hence, "This is the blessing," the opening words of Deuteronomy 33:1, which introduces Moses's final blessing upon the tribes of Israel.
So, what does this all mean? Is it simply a hierarchical ranking of biblical figures? Perhaps. But it's also a powerful exploration of leadership, sacrifice, and the unique relationship Moses had with the Divine. It suggests that true greatness isn't just about inherent qualities or individual achievements, but about using one's gifts to uplift and save others. It's about embodying both strength and compassion, and reflecting the Divine light in a way that illuminates the world. What do you think? What qualities truly define a great leader? And how can we strive to embody those qualities in our own lives?