The rabbis certainly debated it, comparing and contrasting the merits of our most revered patriarchs and prophets. And wouldn't you know it, the discussions could get a little… spicy.
Take this exchange, for instance, recounted in Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg. Jacob, he of wrestling-an-angel fame, boasts to Moses, “I am greater than thou, for I wrestled with the angel and conquered him.”
Moses, never one to back down from a challenge, retorted, “Thou didst wrestle with the angel upon thy territory, but I mounted to the angels into their own territory, and still they feared me." Ouch.
But the comparisons didn't stop there. Joseph, famed for his righteousness in the face of Potiphar's wife's advances, chimed in: "I am greater than thou, for my master's wife could not tempt me to sin."
Moses, ever the diplomat, responded: "Still am I superior to thee, for thou didst restrain thyself from a strange woman, whereas I abstained from intercourse with my own wife."
Now, what’s going on here? Are they really trying to one-up each other? It's important to remember that these aren't literal historical accounts, but midrashim – interpretations and expansions of the biblical text designed to teach us valuable lessons. What can we learn from this particular debate?
The rabbis use these comparisons to highlight Moses' unparalleled stature. Ginzberg, drawing on various sources, continues by illustrating how Moses' achievements surpassed even those of the most righteous figures.
Consider Adam. He succumbed to the serpent's temptation, leading to mortality. But Moses? He fashioned a bronze serpent (Nehushtan), which, when looked upon, healed those bitten by snakes (Numbers 21:4-9). A remedy for the very thing that felled humanity's first man.
Or take Noah. He offered a sacrifice that was accepted by God, but he wasn’t invited into God’s presence. Moses, however, when offering sacrifices on behalf of Israel, received the divine promise: “Know that twice daily I shall dwell with ye.” A direct, constant connection.
Even Abraham, the patriarch whose covenant with God is foundational to Judaism, isn’t spared. Abraham's question, "'Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit 'the land?'" (Genesis 15:8) was, according to the rabbis, the cause for Israel's bondage in Egypt, a punishment for his lack of complete faith. Moses, on the other hand, delivered Israel from that very bondage.
And what about Jacob's famous wrestling match? Yes, he prevailed, but the angel’s blow dislocated his thigh. Moses, by contrast, inspired such awe in the angels that they fled at his very presence.
So, is Moses definitively "greater"? Well, that's not really the point, is it? The rabbis aren't interested in creating a hierarchy. Instead, they're using these comparisons to illuminate different aspects of greatness, to highlight the unique contributions of each figure, and ultimately, to underscore the immense respect and reverence they held for Moses, our teacher, our leader, the one who spoke to God face to face.
Perhaps the real takeaway is that greatness isn't a competition. Each of these figures, from Adam to Moses, played a vital role in the unfolding story of the Jewish people. And each of them, in their own way, continues to inspire us today.