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Why was Moshe happy to wage war against Midian knowing it would precede his death, while the soldiers were reluctant merely because their leader would die? The contrast reveals that happiness depends on focus rather than circumstances. When Moshe reframed the mission from "revenge of the Jewish people" to "God's revenge," he found joy through outward service despite personal cost.
Rabbi Zweig analyzes a puzzling contrast in Parshas Matos regarding the war against Midian. While God commanded Moshe to wage this war knowing it would precede his death, Rashi (רש"י) indicates Moshe fulfilled this command with happiness and enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the Jewish soldiers had to be "delivered" to war because they were reluctant, knowing their beloved leader would die afterward. This presents a fascinating paradox: why was Moshe, who faced personal death, happy, while the people, who would merely lose their leader, were reluctant? The Rabbi first addresses technical questions raised by the Ramban (רמב"ן) about the troop count. According to Rashi, all tribes including Levi were supposed to send soldiers (13,000 total), yet the Torah (תורה) only counts 12,000 fighters. Rabbi Zweig suggests that the Levites, being naturally outward-focused in their divine service, went willingly and didn't need to be "delivered" like the other tribes.
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Parshas Matos, Bamidbar 31:1-5
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