Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ramban · Torah
Ramban on Exodus 17:12/רמב"ן על שמות י״ז:י״ב
אוְטַעַם וַיְהִי יָדָיו אֱמוּנָה שֶׁהָיוּ עוֹמְדוֹת וְקַיָּמוֹת בְּרוֹמְמוּתָן, כִּלְשׁוֹן "וַאֲמָנָה עַל הַמְשֹׁרְרִים דְּבַר יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ" (נחמיה יא כג), וְכֵן "אֲנַחְנוּ כּוֹרְתִים אֲמָנָה" (שם י יא), דָּבָר קַיָּם בִּבְרִית, וְכֵן "הַיָּתֵד הַתְּקוּעָה בְּמָקוֹם נֶאֱמָן" (ישעיה כב כג), חָזָק: וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ הָאֱמֶת, נָשָׂא עֶשֶׂר אֶצְבָּעוֹת לְרוּם הַשָּׁמַיִם לִרְמֹז עַל עֶשֶׂר סְפִירוֹת לְדָבְקָה בֶּאֱמוּנָה הַנִּלְחָם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וּבְכָאן נִתְבָּאֵר עִנְיַן נְשִׂיאוּת כַּפַּיִם בְּבִרְכַּת כֹּהֲנִים וְסוֹדוֹ:
1AND HIS HANDS WERE ‘EMUNAH’. This means that they remained steadily uplifted. The usage of the word is similar to the expressions: ‘va’amanah’ (And a sure) ordinance concerning the singers, as every day required;465 And yet for all this we make ‘amanah’ (a sure) covenant,466, 10:1. meaning a provision “fixed” by covenant. Similarly, a peg fastened in a place ‘ne’eman’467 means [sure and] strong.By way of the Truth, [the mystic lore of the Cabala], Moses lifted his ten fingers to the height of heaven468 in order to allude to the ten emanations and to cleave firmly to Him Who fights for Israel.469. Here is explained the matter of uplifting of hands during the blessing of the priests, and its secret.470