Pinchas

The Gemara states the saying goes, “wine owned by a person, the good is to the one who pours.” This is derived from the words, “וסמכת את ידך עליו למען ישמעו כל עדת בני ישראל, and you, Moshe, shall lean your hand upon him – Yehoshua, in order that the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael will listen.” And it states in Parshas V’zos Haberacha, “ויהושע בן נון מלא רוח חכמה כי סמך משה את ידיו עליו וישמעו אליו בני ישראל…, and Yehoshua Bin-Nun was full with a spirit of wisdom because Moshe leaned his hands upon him, and Bnei Yisrael listened….”

Tosafos writes the one who pours the wine gives out the drink with a good eye to those who want to drink. This is as the Midrash states, the passuk “טוב עין הוא יבורך, a good eye is blessed” refers to Moshe Rabbeinu. Hashem commanded him “וסמכת את ידך, and you shall lean your hand” in singular, but Moshe leaned both of his hands as it states, “ידיו עליו, his hands upon him.” The Maharsha writes that one hand hints at battle, as it states “במטה אשר בידי…והיה כאשר ירים משה ידו וגבר ישראל,” and two hands hints at Torah and wisdom, like it states “ושני לוחות הברית על שתי ידיו.” Moshe requested from Hashem to appoint someone who can take out and bring in Yisrael which refers to leading them at battle. Hashem responded and commanded Moshe to take Yehoshua and lean one hand for battle and Moshe added something which depends on two hands, wisdom and Torah. Although it also states in this week’s Parsha, “ויסמוך את ידיו עליו” in plural, the Gemara specifically quotes the passuk in V’zos Haberacha which explicitly mentions the wisdom which was bestowed upon Yehoshua aside for the might which he merited to win battles.

Rashi offers another explanation: the wine is owned by the king, however the credit is given to the one who pours it – the officer over the drinks, but not to the king himself. This is derived because the Torah accredits the wisdom and greatness with Moshe as though he gave it to Yehoshua although he is only a messenger from Hashem. There is an important message that we can learn from here. When a person has hatzlacha he should think back and trace it to the source; it is all from Hashem. Hashem has many messengers in all different forms and shapes who carry out His commands and instructions. Let us not only appreciate the one who performs the kindness, but even more importantly, one must recognize it is all from Hashem!