The Torah doesn't shy away from these thorny issues, and one story in particular, the aftermath of the war with Midian, really makes you think.
We often focus on the battles themselves, the victories and defeats. But what happens after the dust settles? In this case, after the Israelite warriors returned from Midian, things weren’t so simple. According to Legends of the Jews, as retold by Ginzberg, there was an Israelite apostate among the Midianite slain, which, in a way, caused ritual impurity to cling to the warriors. They couldn't even enter the Israelite camp right away; they had to remain outside.
And Moses? Ever the compassionate leader, he didn't wait for them to come to him. He went out to them. But his welcome wasn't exactly celebratory.
He soon discovered that while the men of Midian were all killed, the women were spared. And that’s when his anger flared. Why? Because Moses understood a crucial principle: "Upon the leaders falls the blame for the faults of the people.” It's a heavy burden of responsibility, isn't it? He reminded them that it was the Midianite women who had led the Israelites astray at Shittim (Numbers 25), a pivotal moment where idolatry and immorality threatened to consume the community. This wasn't just about revenge; it was about protecting the spiritual integrity of Israel.
But Phinehas, ever zealous, had a reply. He essentially said, "Wait a minute, Moses! We were following your orders! You told us to 'avenge ourselves of the Midianites' (Numbers 31:2), but you didn’t specifically say anything about the women!" It's a classic example of interpreting instructions literally, maybe even to a fault.
So, what did Moses do? He then commanded them to kill all the Midianite women who were "ripe for marriage," sparing only the young girls. A harsh command, no doubt. But how did they even determine who was "ripe for marriage?"
Here's where it gets interesting. According to the text, all the women were led past the gold plate of the mitre (headplate) on the High Priest's forehead. The mystical property of the mitre would cause those destined to die to grow pale. Think about the implications for a moment. It wasn't just a physical examination; it was something…more. It was almost as if the divine was weighing in on the decision.
What does this story ultimately tell us? It's certainly not a simple tale of good versus evil. It grapples with complex issues of leadership, obedience, justice, and the lasting consequences of sin. It challenges us to consider the moral ambiguities inherent in warfare and the responsibilities leaders bear for the actions of their people. It's a story that stays with you, prompting reflection long after you've heard it.