It's a story of courage, divine intervention, and a rather gruesome solution to a sticky problem.
Imagine the scene: The Amorites, ancient inhabitants of Canaan, are preparing for war against the Israelites. But it’s not just a territorial dispute. They believe they have a secret weapon, or rather, the Israelites do! According to the Amorites, the Israelites have captured their sacred gods, the nymphs, and holding them will somehow guarantee their defeat. A strange kind of reverse psychology, isn't it?
Then Kenaz appears. He overhears the Amorites’ boastful plans, and the Ruach HaKodesh, the spirit of God, comes upon him. He’s filled with a divine fire, a sense of purpose. He raises his sword. It's not just any sword. The mere glint of it sends shivers down the spines of the Amorites. "Verily, this is the sword of Kenaz," they cry, "who has come to inflict wounds and pain!" But even in their fear, they cling to their strange belief that their captive gods will deliver them victory.
Kenaz, knowing that God has heard his silent prayer, throws himself into the thick of battle. He becomes a whirlwind of righteous fury, cutting down forty-five thousand Amorites, according to Ginzberg. But it’s not just Kenaz’s strength at play here. God sends the angel Gabriel to aid him. Gabriel strikes the Amorites blind, causing them to turn on each other in a chaotic frenzy. It’s a scene of biblical proportions, a divinely orchestrated pandemonium.
And then, a bizarre twist. Because of the sheer force and number of blows Kenaz delivers, his sword becomes stuck to his hand! Can you imagine? After such a monumental feat of strength and courage, he’s literally stuck. He captures a fleeing Amorite and asks him how to free his hand.
Now, here's where it gets really dark. The Amorite advises him to slay a Hebrew and let the warm blood flow over his hand to loosen the sword. A truly horrific suggestion.
But Kenaz, even in this desperate situation, refuses to commit such an atrocity. He accepts the advice only in part. Instead of killing a Hebrew, he turns the tables on his advisor and slays the Amorite himself. And, incredibly, it works. The Amorite's blood frees his hand from the sword.
It's a brutal solution, no doubt. It leaves us grappling with questions of morality and the lengths to which one will go in the name of righteousness. Was it justified? Was there another way? The story doesn't offer easy answers. But perhaps that's the point. It’s a reminder that even heroes face difficult choices, and that sometimes, the line between good and evil can become unsettlingly blurred.
This story, found in Legends of the Jews, offers a glimpse into a world where divine intervention is real, where courage is tested to its limits, and where even the most victorious moments can be tinged with darkness. It invites us to reflect on the nature of heroism, the cost of war, and the enduring power of faith, even in the face of unimaginable horror.