שמות, פרק י״ז, פסוק י״א

The battle against Amalek unfolds as a highly unusual military campaign where victory on the battlefield is dictated entirely by an action taking place far away on a hilltop. The physical posture of the nation's leader becomes the deciding factor in the fate of the war. The primary approach among commentators rejects the idea that Moses' hands magically controlled the outcome. Instead, his raised arms served as a spiritual focal point. As he stood elevated with his hands reaching upward, the Israelites looked higher, directed their hearts to God, and achieved victory through their faith [רש״י, ברטנורא, תורה תמימה, הכתב והקבלה, ברכת אשר]. Because of this collective repentance and belief, the resulting triumph was an empowerment of the entire nation, rather than just the soldiers fighting on the front lines [נתינה לגר, ביאור יש״ר].

In contrast to this spiritual perspective, other commentators offer a practical, psychological explanation. The raised hand holding the staff acted as a prominent military banner. As long as the fighters saw their leader's arm held high, they were filled with courage and strength. Conversely, when fatigue set in and his arm dropped, the soldiers experienced despair, allowing the enemy to gain the upper hand [רשב״ם, אבן עזרא, פענח רזא, קאסוטו]. Yet, the physical act of raising one's hands is also deeply associated with standing in prayer and supplication [הכתב והקבלה, אם למקרא, אבן עזרא הקצר], with the very concept of the hand in this context being intertwined with expressions of gratitude and praise [הכתב והקבלה].

A profound dynamic existed between the spiritual state of the people and the physical endurance of their leader. When the Israelites' prayers were pure and their faith unwavering, Moses was granted the strength to keep his hands elevated. However, when their sins intensified, his strength waned and his hands fell [מלבי״ם]. One unique perspective suggests a distinction in the postures of prayer: raising the hands represents a humble plea for mercy, while lowering and folding them signifies a transition to songs of praise. Moses lowered his hands believing the Israelites were ready to thank God for the victory. However, because their hearts were not yet completely devoted, the enemy surged, forcing him to raise his hands once again in desperate prayer [חתם סופר].

The most straightforward reason for Moses lowering his hands was simple physical exhaustion; he was unable to hold them up indefinitely due to their sheer weight, not out of any desire to see his people defeated [רמב״ן, הטור הארוך, שטיינזלץ, ביאור יש״ר]. Another explanation notes a tradition forbidding a person from keeping their hands spread toward heaven for more than three consecutive hours [רמב״ן, הטור הארוך]. Alternatively, lowering his arms may have been an intentional signal to the nation, reminding them of their desperate need for heavenly mercy [הדר זקנים].

Ultimately, the victory was an open miracle from God. The physical action of raising the hands was merely a necessary step to draw down divine providence; without God's desire to save the Israelites, even the assistance of others holding up Moses' hands would have been entirely useless [שד״ל, אם למקרא]. On a mystical level, his ten raised fingers alluded to the ten supernal divine emanations. Raising them served to unify these spiritual forces, projecting power and faith onto the Israelites in order to subdue the harsh judgment that the enemy represented [רקנאטי].