1)

Since when do Moshe's hands make or break war?

1.

Rashi (citing the Mishnah in Rosh Hashanah, 29a): It was when Moshe raised his hands that the people raised their eyes heavenwards and rendered their hearts subservient to Hashem. That was when they were victorious in battle; and when he dropped his hands, they fell. 1

2.

Rashbam: Moshe hand refers to the staff that he was holding; and it is human nature that when the army see their emblem raised, they fight harder and enter into a winning streak.

3.

Targum Yonasan: When Moshe raised his hands in prayer, Yisrael were winning, and when he lowered them and stopped Davening, then Amalek were winning.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 8.

2)

Rashi, citing Rosh Hashanah, asked why the war depended on Moshe's hands. Is it hard to understand that Moshe's Tefilos helped to overpower Amalek?

1.

Lev Eliyahu (p.96): This war was not based on physical strength but on Ruchniyus. Amalek, sensing that Yisrael were lax in Torah-study traveled four hundred Parsah to Refidim - via witchcraft. Therefore, Yisrael needed to consecrate their hearts to Hashem. 1


1

Sichon and Og were stronger than Amlek, but they were physical wars and Moshe alone was able to defeat them. The Rashba (in Chidushei Agados Brachos 54b) wueries this from the fact that Og had great merit, and also the merits of Yisrael and the Avos were needed to defeat him.Refer to Bamidbar 21:35:1:1*.

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