Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying “Take vengeance for the Bnei Yisrael.”…Moshe spoke to the people. “Arm men among yourselves…to inflict Hashem’s vengeance upon Midian.”
Confusing. Whose vengeance was sought? That of the Bnei Yisrael, or that of Hashem? Did Moshe mess with the script?
Of course not. We can unpack this in a number of ways.
The simplest is that Moshe conveyed Hashem’s order exactly as it had been given: They should avenge themselves from Midian. Moshe sensed that the people might be somewhat jittery. Victory in battle would require great merit. Did they have it? Moshe therefore placed an important truth before them. Hashem sees the kavod of Yisrael as His own. Those who rise against Klal Yisrael are actually pitting themselves against Him. If the people would fight for their honor, they would perforce be seeking to avenge Hashem as well! Moshe did not change the command. Rather, he showed the people that waging a war of vengeance for what Midian inflicted upon them would be a battle for kevod Shomayim – and offer them the merit that they needed.
A variation on this approach is that seeking revenge – even against non-Jewish enemies – does not come from an elevated place. At times, it is justified or necessary. But the source of its sweet alure is not from a refined character! It is still born of a lowly tendency.
Unless those who seek revenge do so for a higher purpose. Moshe conveyed the command accurately. But he explained to them that they should not act on a yearning for revenge against those who had wronged them. Instead, they should focus on a higher cause – protecting Hashem’s honor.
Alternatively, we could explain the contradiction between the verses, by utilizing an observation of Rav Saadia Gaon.[2] He discusses how powerful is the urge for vengeance – and how counterproductive it often us. He shows how people will sacrifice all they have – and sometimes their own lives – to try to get back at their enemies.
Along the way, he lists three explanations for the enormous appeal of revenge. Successful revenge sends a strong warning to others who might want to harm him. It thus offers some future security.
Revenge also satisfies a genuine need to see justice in place of moral chaos; law instead of the rule of the jungle.
Finally, it offers closure. Many people can just not walk away from an injustice perpetrated upon them, unless they witness the guilty party getting his comeuppance. It allows the blood seething within to finally come to rest.
HKBH’s command essentially said, “My concern is for you. I love you enough, that I instruct you to take revenge so that you will feel relieved. Moshe, however, urged them to downplay that aspect, and concentrate on the more elevated values of deterrence of future enemies, and the regaining of law and order. These are included under the rubric of “Hashem’s vengeance.”
- Adapted from Divrei Shaul, by Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson zt”l, the Shoel U-Meishiv ↑
- Emunos V’Deios 10:13 ↑