17:10–11).</b> Could the hand of Moses actually wage war or cause a war to cease? This indicates that whenever the Israelites glanced upward and directed their hearts to their Father in Heaven, they were strengthened, but if not, they were defeated. Similarly, <i>And the Lord said unto Moses: “Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass that everyone that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live”</i> (Num. 21:8). Can a serpent of bronze cause death or life? This, likewise, indicates that whenever the Israelites looked upwards and expressed their devotion to their Heavenly Father, they were healed, but if not, they were destroyed. Similarly, in the verse <i>And the blood shall be to you for a token</i> (Exod. 12:13), did the blood help the angel of destruction or the Israelites? The fact is that at the time the Israelites smeared blood upon their doorposts, the Holy One, blessed be He, revealed Himself and had pity upon them, as it is said: <i>And when I see the blood, I will pass over you</i> (ibid.) i.e., the angel of death will not be permitted to come to your homes to smite you.
R. Eleazar asked: Why does Scripture say <i>That Israel prevailed</i> and then, <i>and Amalek prevailed?</i> To inform us that whenever Moses lifted his hand heavenward, Israel would, in the future, be strong in the knowledge of the law of the Torah that was given through the hands of Moses. But when he lowered his hand, Israel was destined to allow its knowledge of the law, that was given through his hands, to diminish. <i>But Moses’ hands were heavy</i> (Exod. 17:12). Moses hands grew tired, as do those of a man who holds three jars of water suspended from his hands. <i>And they took a stone, and put it under him</i> (ibid.). Did they not have a mattress or a pillow upon which he could sit? This informs us that they (the people) were engaged in a community fast.<sup class="footnote-marker">17</sup><i class="footnote">At times of fasting pillows and mattresses are not utilized.</i> <i>And Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, with one on one side and the other on the other side</i> (ibid.). Because of this, they decreed that no less than three people should stand before the ark to read the prayers at a public fast.