Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Exodus 17:11/אבן עזרא על שמות י״ז:י״א
אוהיה. יש אומרים כי הרמת ידו כאשר במלחמה מי שבידו הנס, ואילו היה כן מרים אותו אהרן או חור או יעמידוהו במקום גבוה בהר שיראה עומד והנכון מה שאמרו קדמונינו:
1AND IT CAME TO PASS. Some say that Moses held his hand33 up in a manner similar to one holding up a banner in war.34 However, if this was the case then Aaron or Hur would have lifted the rod up or they would have placed it on a high place on the mountain so that the people would see it standing. The correct interpretation is the one offered by the ancient sages.35 3:8: “Now do the hands of Moses promote or hinder the battle! It is rather to teach you that when the Israelites directed their thoughts on high and subjected their hearts to their Father in heaven, they prevailed; and if not they were defeated.”