1)

Why was Moshe unable to keep his hands aloft?

1.

Rashi #1: It was a punishment for being lax in the Mitzvah - by sending Yehoshua to war to lead the troops and not going himself. 1

2.

Rashi #2 (citing B'rachos, 54b) and Ramban #1: Because he was physically unable to do so without support.

3.

Ramban #2 (citing the Midrash): Because it is forbidden to stand with hands raised for three hours.

4.

Targum Yonasan: It was a punishment for delaying the battle for the next day and not engaging in the defense of Yisrael immediately. 2


1

Refer also to 17:9:2:1.

2

Rashi in Shmuel 1 (30:17) explains that there too, when David fought with Amalek, he only succeeded in defeating them "le'Machrasam", because it was the way of Amalek to be defeated "Machar" - as we find here.

2)

Why did they take a stone for Moshe to sit on and not a cushion or something softer?

1.

Rashi and Targum Yonasan: Since Yisrael were suffering, Moshe made a point of suffering together with them. 1


1

Ta'anis, 11a: And we learn from here that even complete Tzadik should commiserate with the community in their suffering. See Torah Temimah, note 10.

3)

What are the connotations of the word "Emunah" in this Pasuk?

1.

Rashi and Targum Yonasan: It refers to Moshe's Tefilah, which he prayed with deep Emunah, hands outstretched.

2.

Ramban #1: It means that his hands did not sag but remained firmly aloft without letting up until sunset. 1

3.

Ramban #2 (according to Kabalah): Moshe's ten extended fingers pointed heavenwards hinted at the ten Sefiros 2 - clinging to the Emunah that was fighting on behalf of Yisrael. 3


1

Like we find for example, in Nechemyah (11:23, 10:11) and in Yeshayah, 22:23 (Ramban).

2

Malchus, Y'sod, Hod, Netzach, Tiferes, Gevurah, Chesed, Chochmah, Binah, Da'as.

3

This is a similar concept to that of the Kohanim, who stretch out their hands when they Duchen (Ramban). See also Ba'al ha'Turim, who explains that "Emunah" refers to the merit of Avraham, "Ad Bo", to the merit of Yitzchak and "ha'Shemesh", to the merit of Ya'akov.

4)

What is the significance of sunset here?

1.

Rashi: Because the Amalekim were practiced astrologers, 1 who could assess the time that they would win by reading the stars. So Moshe stopped the sun in its tracks to confuse them.

2.

Mechilta: To teach us that they were fasting - and that they were obligated to continue until nightfall.


1

Refer also to 17:9:4:2.

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