We know him as the liberator of the Israelites, the one who received the Torah on Mount Sinai. But what about the years before the burning bush? The Yalkut Shimoni, a compilation of Midrashic teachings, offers a fascinating, almost unbelievable, glimpse into those missing years. Prepare yourself, because this tale takes some unexpected turns.
Our story begins not in Egypt, but in Kush (Ethiopia). According to the Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 168, there was a war brewing between Kush and the Bnei Kedem (Children of the East). King Konkos of Kush went to war against Aram and the Bnei Kedem, leaving Bilam – yes, that Bilam, the one we know from the Book of Numbers, also identified here as Laban the Aramean – in charge of the city. He was, according to this account, a powerful sorcerer from Petor.
Now, Bilam, being Bilam, wasn't content with simply holding down the fort. He started whispering in the ears of the common folk, suggesting they rebel against King Konkos. He convinced them that the King shouldn't be allowed to return. And unbelievably, the people listened! They swore allegiance to Bilam, making him their king and his two sons, Inus and Iamberus, generals of the army. They fortified the city, building walls, diverting a river to create a moat of sorts, and – get this – filling the fourth side with enchanted, venomous snakes!
When King Konkos and his army finally returned, they were met with a shocking sight: a heavily fortified city refusing them entry. They assumed at first that the city had simply been strengthened against attack. But when they tried to enter, Bilam's forces attacked, killing 130 of Konkos' soldiers right there at the gate. Attempts to cross the river resulted in more casualties. The snake-infested side was, predictably, a death trap.
It's during this siege of Kush that our young Moses enters the picture. He had fled Egypt at the age of 18, and for 19 years, King Konkos had been laying siege to Kush. Moses, according to the Yalkut Shimoni, became a respected figure in the Kushite camp. He was tall, handsome, and wise, a trusted advisor to the King.
Then, after nine years of the siege, King Konkos fell ill and died. The Kushites mummified him, built a grand mausoleum in his honor, and then faced a dilemma: what to do next? They couldn't continue the siege indefinitely, but attacking the city seemed impossible. They feared the Aramean kings would attack if they remained leaderless.
So, they did something extraordinary. They piled up their garments, raised Moses upon this makeshift throne, and declared him their king! They blew the shofarot (ram's horns) and proclaimed, "Long live the King!" They even swore to give him Konkos' widow as a wife. Moses, at this point, was 27 years old.
On the second day of his reign, Moses sought advice from his people. They were weary after nine years away from their families. Moses, with his wisdom, devised a clever plan. He instructed each soldier to bring a baby stork from the forest and then to starve the storks for two days. On the third day, he led them to the snake-infested side of the city. The hungry storks devoured the snakes, clearing the path for the Kushite army to conquer the city!
Bilam, seeing the writing on the wall, fled with his sons to Egypt, where they became advisors to Pharaoh, plotting against the Israelites as described in the Sefer HaYashar.
Moses, meanwhile, was installed on the royal throne, given the crown, and offered the Kushite queen as his wife. But here's where Moses' true character shines through. He remembered the oath Abraham had made Eliezer swear – not to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan (Genesis 24:3). He also remembered Isaac's instructions to Jacob not to marry from the daughters of Ham. Moses, according to the Yalkut Shimoni, feared God and remained true to the path of his ancestors. He did not consummate the marriage with the Kushite queen.
For 40 years, Moses reigned over Kush. The kingdom prospered, conquering Edom, the Children of the East, and Aram. God was with him, granting him success in all his wars. But after those 40 years, the queen spoke out. She pointed out that Moses had never been intimate with her and had not worshipped the Kushite gods. She proposed that her son, Munjam, should be their king instead.
The people debated and ultimately agreed. But fearing Moses' power and remembering their oath, they showered him with gifts and sent him away with great honor. Moses was 67 years old when he left Kush. And according to the Yalkut Shimoni, it was all part of God's plan to bring about the redemption of the Israelites.
So, what are we to make of this incredible story? Is it historical fact? Probably not in the literal sense. Midrash, after all, isn't always about historical accuracy. It's about exploring deeper truths, filling in the gaps in our understanding, and offering different perspectives on familiar narratives. This midrash seems to highlight Moses' unwavering commitment to his faith, even in the face of power, temptation, and a foreign culture. It paints him as a leader even before his encounter with the burning bush, a man of wisdom, courage, and unwavering devotion to God. It's a reminder that even the most familiar stories have hidden depths, waiting to be explored. And that sometimes, the most unexpected detours can lead us to our ultimate destiny.