In a deeply powerful scene, Moshe Rabbeinu was found with his hands held high on top of the mountain, praying for the people gripped in a raging battle with Amalek below. Aharon and Chur stood on either side of Moshe Rabbeinu, holding his hands aloft (Shemot 17:10). Rashi teaches that Chur was the son of Moshe’s sister, Miriam. What more do we know about Chur? What is the symbolism of his joining with Aharon to support the hands of Moshe Rabbeinu?

Rabbi Roberts, in “Through the Prism of Torah,” explains that Aharon and Chur personified contrasting character traits. Aharon was a peacemaker, he constantly looked for ways to create harmony among his people. Indeed, he was ready to compromise his own values to achieve this goal, as we see in the story of the sin of the golden calf. Chur—on the other hand—was a person who stood strong in his values, unbending and resolute in his beliefs.

Chazal teaches us that Chur tried to challenge the people when they wanted to build the calf and they, subsequently, killed him. Chur—a descendent of Yehudah—was a person who was inflexible and strong like a lion. Truly, a combination of both qualities is necessary. In interpersonal relationships, it is wise to follow Aharon’s path—to compromise and make peace whenever possible. However, in the service of Hashem and reinforcing kavod shamayim, one needs to follow Chur’s example and be resolute in his values. These two special people joined Moshe Rabbeinu to activate the merits of these approaches, as he implored Hashem to have mercy on His people and vanquish Amalek, physically and spiritually.

Rav Schwab, in Ma’ayan Beit HaShoeva, notes that the word “echad” is repeated in describing each person standing on either side of Moshe Rabbeinu (Shemot 17:12). This emphasis reflects the unique middah of each one, singular to their personalities. Moshe Rabbeinu—standing between them—synthesized the two.

Rav Druk, in Aish Tamid, understands this three-way dynamic from quite a different angle. Amalek was the personification of evil, driven to destroy the spiritual world of the Jewish people. This war was about keeping the Hashem’s nation and their world intact. A Jew’s sphere revolves on three major principles: Torah, avodah and gemilut chasadim. Rav Druk maintains that each of these were represented by Moshe, Aharon and Chur. Moshe Rabbeinu symbolized the world of Torah, as he was the one who brought Torah down to Am Yisrael. Aharon HaKohen officiated in the avodah of the mikdash. Chur—the son of Miriam, the midwife—embodied chesed.

In this episode, the Torah teaches us to unite these three pillars to protect and solidify our worlds—both on a national level, as well as on a personal one.

Mrs. Shira Smiles, a lecturer, author and curriculum developer, is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau ( www.mizrachi.org/speakers ).