Home

Moses, knowing he would not lead the Jewish nation into Israel, asked God to appoint a successor (Numbers 27:15-17). The Midrash Rabba (30-200 CE; Bamidbar Rabba 21:14) says that Moses asked God to appoint, in his (Moses') honor, one of his children; Moses did not want the leadership to leave his family. God responded, "He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored" (Proverbs 27:18).

"He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit" compares Torah study to a fig tree (Midrash Bamidbar Rabba 12:9). The Midrash asks why is Torah compared to a fig tree? Because other trees, such as grape vines and date trees, are harvested all at one time. However, a fig tree is harvested over time because its fruit do not ripen all at once. Just as a fig tree is harvested over time, so too Torah is not studied in one or two years, but is studied over time.

The Midrash continues to explain that Joshua would never leave the study hall but was constantly there learning and serving Moses. "His servant, Joshua, a lad, would not leave from within the tent" (Exodus 33:11). Your children did not study Torah, rather Joshua will be your successor because Joshua served you and honored you with all his strength, the Midrash explains. As an example, every morning and evening Joshua was in the house of study arranging the tables and chairs and making sure that the house of study was in proper order.

It is understood why Moses would ask for his children to continue the leadership of Israel. As for Joshua, he was not chosen because he was the smartest, the shrewdest, or even the most righteous, but rather because he was the most dedicated to serving Moses. Why would dedication to understanding one's rebbe be the primary qualification for leadership? And why would the Midrash consider Moses' children to have not studied Torah?

Moses suggested their appointment. Surely, Moses' children were qualified to lead Israel and, as most children, had a special attachment to their father and his Torah knowledge that would help them follow in his footsteps. Perhaps the answer is that Torah is a "legacy of the Congregation of Jacob" (Deuteronomy, 33:4) that must be cherished and safeguarded as it is passed from one generation to the next. God said that Joshua, who wholly dedicated himself to serving Moses, understanding Moses, and preserving his teachings, is the most qualified to sustain and secure the legacy of Torah.

Rabbi Chaim Lobel is the spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen, www.yiaberdeen.com. He welcomes comments on his articles, and can be reached at rabbi@yiaberdeen.com.