Difference between revisions of "Yehoshua/0"
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<subcategory>Military Prowess | <subcategory>Military Prowess | ||
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− | <li>Amalek – Why was Yehoshua chosen to lead the nation in battle against Amalek?  From where did he have any knowledge of warfare?</li> | + | <li><b>Amalek</b> – Why was Yehoshua chosen to lead the nation in battle against Amalek?  From where did he have any knowledge of warfare?</li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
− | <li>Conquest of Canaan</li> | + | <li><b>Conquest of Canaan</b></li> |
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<li><b>Absence during the Sin of the Golden Calf </b>– Most commentators assume that Yehoshua stayed at the foot of the mountain, apart from the Israelite camp, throughout the forty days that Moshe spoke with Hashem. As such, he was entirely unaware of the Sin of the Golden Calf and could not be expected to have intervened to stop it. However, when Moshe descends the mountain, Yehoshua tells him that he hears voices of war. Considering that Yehoshua is the nation's general, why, if he assumed that there was a battle taking place, did he not go to the people's aid?</li> | <li><b>Absence during the Sin of the Golden Calf </b>– Most commentators assume that Yehoshua stayed at the foot of the mountain, apart from the Israelite camp, throughout the forty days that Moshe spoke with Hashem. As such, he was entirely unaware of the Sin of the Golden Calf and could not be expected to have intervened to stop it. However, when Moshe descends the mountain, Yehoshua tells him that he hears voices of war. Considering that Yehoshua is the nation's general, why, if he assumed that there was a battle taking place, did he not go to the people's aid?</li> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
− | <li><b>Waiting for Moshe</b> | + | <li><b>Waiting for Moshe</b> – It is possible that Yehoshua was not independent enough to act without orders from superiors. As others had been put in charge of the nation during Moshe's absence he waited until they (or Moshe) turned to him. One might question whether this is a positive or negative trait.  Perhaps Yehoshua's greatness lay in his obedience to superiors rather than in his initiative-taking.</li> |
− | <li><b>Unaware of cries</b> | + | <li><b>Unaware of cries</b> – Alternatively, Yehoshua did not hear the cries at all until speaking with Moshe. It is possible that Yehoshua had actually ascended the mountain with Moshe, either part way<fn>See Shemot 24:13-14 which implies that Yehoshua at least accompanied Moshe further than had the elders.</fn> or entirely,<fn>See Midrash Aggadah who allows for this more radical possibility that Yehoshua had accompanied Moshe the entire way, and perhaps served his needs on the mountain throughout the forty days: מלמד שלא היה יהושע נפרש ממשה אלא בשעת הדיבור בלבד.</fn> and that only midway down the mountain, as they neared the camp, did Yehoshua hear the cries. If so, Yehoshua showed no negligence in his duty at all.</li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
+ | </subcategory> | ||
+ | <subcategory>Possible Sins | ||
+ | <ul> | ||
+ | <li>Making a Covenant with the Givonim</li> | ||
+ | </ul> | ||
+ | </subcategory> | ||
+ | <subcategory>Doubting Hashem? | ||
</subcategory> | </subcategory> | ||
</category> | </category> |
Version as of 07:13, 27 September 2019
Yehoshua
Unique Traits
Faith in Hashem
Yehoshua exhibits consistent faith in Hashem, being one of the few in his generation not to participate in either of the nation's two biggest debacles in the Wilderness, the Sin of the Golden Calf and the Sin of the Spies.
Loyal Servant
Several verses highlight the close relationship that Yehoshua had with Moshe:
- "משרת משה" (Shemot 24:13) – Yehoshua is referred to as Moshe's "servant" four times.1 It is not clear from the text what duties are included in "serving Moshe," though it is possible that Yehoshua took care of Moshe's physical needs. Regardless, the title highlights the close connection between the two leaders, and suggests that Yehoshua might have been groomed from early on to be Moshe's successor.
- "לֹא יָמִישׁ מִתּוֹךְ הָאֹהֶל" (Shemot 33:11) – After the Sin of the Golden Calf, when Moshe erects his personal tent outside the camp, we are told that though Moshe would return to the camp, Yehoshua "did not depart from the tent". What does this mean? What does it teach about Yehoshua?
- Learned Torah – Ralbag and Netziv explain that Yehoshua spent his days delving into the Torah taught him by Moshe.2 This diligence, Ralbag claims, is what merited Yehoshua to prophesy and lead the nation. Though we often think of Yehoshua as primarily a military leader, these sources emphasize his great Torah knowledge and devotion to Moshe's teachings as well.
- Stand guard – Seforno suggests that it was Yehoshua's job to watch over Moshe's tent and guard that others from Israel would not enter. Ibn Kaspi adds that this highlights the trust Moshe had in Yehoshua, allowing him full access to and responsibility over his private tent.
- Did not hear Hashem's word – Shadal, in contrast, suggests that the verse is not lauding Yehoshua, but rather highlighting the difference in level between him and Moshe. While Moshe went to the tent's entrance so as to hear Hashem "face to face," Yehoshua was relegated to the inside, where Hashem's voice did not reach.3
- "אֲדֹנִי מֹשֶׁה כְּלָאֵם" (Bemidbar 11:26-29) – After Eldad and Medad begin to prophesy in the camp, Yehoshua tells Moshe "אֲדֹנִי מֹשֶׁה כְּלָאֵם". From Moshe's reaction, "הַמְקַנֵּא אַתָּה לִי", it is clear that Yehoshua's accusation is motivated by a desire to protect Moshe's honor. Commentators offer several explanations of what it was that bothered Yehoshua, but all agree that he was acting to ensure that the people respect Moshe's authority and recognize his unique status:
- Content of prophecy – Eldad and Medad were prophesying about Moshe's upcoming death and Yehoshua's succession (Rashi). To Yehoshua, the loyal servant, speaking about Moshe's replacement bordered on rebellion.
- Appearance of equality – In contrast to the elders who were able to prophesy only via partaking of Moshe's spirit,4 Eldad and Medad prophesied on their own, with no connection to Moshe's abilities. This made it appear as if they might have independent capabilities that could compete with Moshe. This appearance of potential equality led to Yehoshua's zealous response. (R. Hirsch)
- Acting without permission – Alternatively, Yehoshua believed that the two were acting without permission (R"Y Bekhor Shor). Yehoshua was upset by such disregard of Moshe's authority.
Military Prowess
- Amalek – Why was Yehoshua chosen to lead the nation in battle against Amalek? From where did he have any knowledge of warfare?
- Conquest of Canaan
Uncontested Leader
The transition of leadership from Moshe to Yehoshua is one of the only smooth transitions of leadership in all of Tanakh. Yehoshua takes on the mantle without opposition and appears to be respected from the very beginning of his tenure. How did he accomplish this?
- Moshe's foresight – Moshe takes the initiative to request of Hashem to choose a leader to replace him, making sure that his successor is appointed already in his lifetime and not only after his death. The appointment is made publicly, preventing any questions as to Yehoshua's legitimacy.
- Yehoshua's relationship to Moshe – Yehoshua's prior role as Moshe's servant both lent him credibility in the people's eyes and helped prepare him for the task.
- Yehoshua's character – Yehoshua's role as general in chief during the Wilderness period made him an obvious candidate to lead the Conquest, while his spotless record in matters of faith marked him worthy of spiritual leadership as well.
- Lack of competition – Given that the entire generation of the Wilderness had died out excepting Yehoshua and Calev, there was not much competition for the job. Yehoshua was an elder not only in wisdom but in years as well, being a couple of decades older than everyone else entering the land.
Prophetic Abilities
Possible Flaws
Hesitant Leadership?
- Initial silence in the story of the spies? – Both Yehoshua and Calev disassociate themselves from the negative report of the other spies, but perhaps surprisingly it is Calev, rather than Yehoshua, who appears to take the lead role in combating their claims. Thus, it is Calev who initially stands up to hush the people after the spies speak (Bemidbar 13:30), while Yehoshua is not mentioned until the next chapter. How are we to understand Yehoshua's initial silence?5
- Pointless to talk – Shadal and R. Hirsch claim that due to Yehoshua's position as "משרת משה", he realized that anything he would say to defend Moshe or sway the people would be ineffective. They would just attribute his stance to his loyalty to Moshe and not take his message to heart, so there was no point in speaking up.
- Different ideology – Alternatively, it is possible that Yehoshua disagreed with the ideology behind Calev's speech. Calev attempted to persuade the people that they were capable of conquest, but this suggests that victory is about military strength rather than Hashem's aid. Yehoshua, thus, speaks up only afterwards to highlight how all is in Hashem's hand, "אִם חָפֵץ בָּנוּ י״י וְהֵבִיא אֹתָנוּ אֶל הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת וּנְתָנָהּ לָנוּ".6
- Waiting for Moshe's guidance – While Moshe was still alive, Yehoshua might not have felt comfortable acting independently without guidance from his mentor. As such, he might hesitated, seeking a clue from Moshe as to how to respond.7 This need not be viewed as a lack of leadership, but as a sign of Yehoshua's complete trust in and obedience to Moshe.
- Absence during the Sin of the Golden Calf – Most commentators assume that Yehoshua stayed at the foot of the mountain, apart from the Israelite camp, throughout the forty days that Moshe spoke with Hashem. As such, he was entirely unaware of the Sin of the Golden Calf and could not be expected to have intervened to stop it. However, when Moshe descends the mountain, Yehoshua tells him that he hears voices of war. Considering that Yehoshua is the nation's general, why, if he assumed that there was a battle taking place, did he not go to the people's aid?
- Waiting for Moshe – It is possible that Yehoshua was not independent enough to act without orders from superiors. As others had been put in charge of the nation during Moshe's absence he waited until they (or Moshe) turned to him. One might question whether this is a positive or negative trait. Perhaps Yehoshua's greatness lay in his obedience to superiors rather than in his initiative-taking.
- Unaware of cries – Alternatively, Yehoshua did not hear the cries at all until speaking with Moshe. It is possible that Yehoshua had actually ascended the mountain with Moshe, either part way8 or entirely,9 and that only midway down the mountain, as they neared the camp, did Yehoshua hear the cries. If so, Yehoshua showed no negligence in his duty at all.
Possible Sins
- Making a Covenant with the Givonim
Doubting Hashem?
Change of Name
Family Life
Tanakh does not share any details about Yehoshua's family life, but Bavli Megillah 14b presents him as marrying Rachav (after she converted) and claims that among their descendants were 8 prophets.