This story centers around Moshe – yes, that Moses – but it's a chapter of his life you likely won't find in your typical Sunday school lesson. It begins with a war brewing between Kush (often associated with Ethiopia) and the Bnei Kedem (Children of the East). King Konkos of Kush goes off to war, leaving the sorcerer Bilam – identified here as Laban the Aramean from Petor – in charge of the city, along with his two sons, Inus and Iamberus.
Now, Bilam, as we know from other parts of the Torah, wasn’t exactly a stand-up guy. Instead of safeguarding the city, he starts whispering rebellious ideas into the ears of the common folk. He convinces them to revolt against King Konkos, promising they won't have to worry about him returning. And shockingly, the people listen! They swear allegiance to Bilam, crown him king, and appoint his sons as generals.
They fortify the city like mad, raising walls, digging a crazy network of trenches to divert the river, and, get this, filling one entire side with enchanted, venomous snakes! Talk about a hostile takeover.
When King Konkos and his army finally return, they're met with a city transformed. They assume the people were just being extra cautious, preparing for potential attacks from the Canaanite kings. But when they reach the gates, they're denied entry by Bilam's forces. A battle ensues right there, at the gate, leaving 130 of Konkos' soldiers dead. Subsequent attempts to breach the city through the river and the snake-infested side fail miserably, costing hundreds more lives.
It's during this siege of Kush that Moses, a young man of 18 fleeing Egypt, arrives at Konkos's camp. According to this story, Konkos had been besieging Kush for 19 years already! Moses quickly gains the favor of the King, his generals, and the entire army. He’s described as tall as a cedar, with a face that shines like the sun, brave as a lion, and a trusted advisor.
Nine years pass, and King Konkos falls gravely ill and dies. He's mummified and buried with great ceremony, a mausoleum erected in his honor, inscribed with tales of his victories. The Kushites are in a bind. They can't risk attacking the fortified city, but they also can't stay put, vulnerable to attacks from Aram now that their king is dead. So, what do they do? They decide to crown a new king.
In a rather dramatic fashion, they pile up their clothes, lift Moses onto this makeshift throne, blow the shofarot (ritual ram's horns), and declare him their king! They even promise him Konkos's widow as his wife. Moses, now 27, becomes the King of Kush.
On his second day as king, the people ask Moses for advice on how to end the siege, as they've been away from their families for nine long years. Moses, with his newfound wisdom, devises a plan: everyone should bring a baby stork from the forest. Once the storks are grown, he orders them to be starved for two days. Then, on the third day, each soldier, armed and mounted, is to carry a hungry stork and attack the city on the side infested with snakes.
And guess what happens? The storks devour the snakes! The Kushites, witnessing this incredible feat, let out a mighty war cry and conquer the city. Bilam, seeing the jig is up, flees with his sons to Egypt, seeking refuge with Pharaoh and his sorcerers – those same advisors mentioned in Sefer Hayashar, infamous for wanting to wipe out Jacob's descendants.
Moses is enthroned, crowned, and offered the Kushite queen as his wife. However, the Yalkut Shimoni emphasizes Moses's piety. Mindful of the oaths made by Abraham and Isaac regarding marrying outside the faith, Moses avoids intimacy with her. He remembers Abraham's instructions to Eliezer not to take a wife for Isaac from the daughters of Canaan, and Isaac's similar command to Jacob regarding the daughters of Ham. Moses feared God and walked in the ways of his ancestors.
Under Moses's reign, Kush prospers and conquers neighboring kingdoms. He rules for 40 years, successful in all his wars, because God was with him. But the story takes another turn. After 40 years, the Kushite queen publicly complains that Moses has not approached her and hasn't worshipped the Kushite gods. She proposes that her son, Munjam, Konkos's son, should be king instead.
The Kushites, remembering their oath to Moses but also wanting a king of their own lineage, decide to depose Moses. However, they fear him, so they shower him with gifts and send him off with great honors. Moses leaves Kush at the age of 67.
The Yalkut Shimoni concludes by stating that this was all part of God's plan, setting the stage for Moses to ultimately lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
So, what do we make of this wild ride? It's a reminder that even our greatest heroes have untold stories, adventures beyond the familiar narratives. It also highlights the complex themes of leadership, faith, and destiny, showcasing how even seemingly unrelated events can be part of a larger, divine plan. It also is a good reminder that no matter how familiar we are with a character or story, there are always new aspects to uncover, inviting us to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Jewish tradition. What does this story teach us about leadership? About destiny? About the unexpected paths that even the most righteous individuals can take? Perhaps it's a reminder that the journey, however strange, is ultimately guided by a higher purpose.