Joshua Son of Nun: Unveiling the Legacy of a Leader

This evening and tomorrow, the 26th of Nisan, marks the anniversary of the passing of Joshua, the leader of the Israelites following Moses' death during the Conquest of the Land and the settlement of the tribes. Here are intriguing facts about his remarkable persona:

1. Joshua served as an aide to Moses and was his disciple. When Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Tablets, Joshua accompanied him part of the way.

2. The Midrash teaches: "Joshua who served Moses day and night, was honored by Hashem... as he served his master, he was gifted with divine inspiration."

3. In the Talmud, it is stated that Joshua held the words of Torah in great affection. Hashem said to him: 'Joshua, since you cherish the teachings of the Torah so much, this book of Torah shall not depart from your mouth.' (Menachot 99b)

4. Joshua was a transmitter of tradition. As stated in Pirkei Avot, Moses passed the Torah to Joshua, and Joshua to the Elders. It is noted in Shekalim: 'When Joshua would teach, it was known to all that the Torah belonged to Moses.' (Shekalim 2:6).

5. Joshua is first mentioned in the Torah in the battle against Amalek at Rephidim, a battle he led. Joshua was also one of the twelve spies sent to scout the land, alongside Caleb. During this mission, Moses added the letter 'Yud' to his name, initially 'Hoshea'.

6. As part of the name change, Moses prayed for his student: "May Hashem save you from the counsel of the spies." Meanwhile, Caleb prayed at the tombs of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Indeed, Joshua and Caleb were the only ones not swayed by the sin of the spies, not slandering the land.

7. In Midrash Rabba, Rabbi Joshua ben Korha describes: The 'Yud' from Sarah's name, removed when she was renamed from Sarai, pleaded with Hashem, 'Master of the universe, you removed me from the name of the pious woman.' Hashem replied: 'Previously you were in a woman's name at the end of a word, now I place you at the start of a man's name.'

8. Following the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan and orchestrated the conquest, starting with Jericho and Ai, through victories over five kings at Makkedah and the conquests of Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, stretching from Kadesh Barnea in the south to Gaza in the west and Hazor in the north.

9. In the Talmud, it is noted that Rahab converted to Judaism and married Joshua, with eight priestly prophets descending from them.

10. Joshua is credited with writing the Book of Joshua. Some suggest he also penned the last eight verses of Deuteronomy, describing Moses' death. Another view is that Moses wrote them tearfully, as dictated by Hashem.

11. The Book of Joshua is the first of the Former Prophets, chronicling Israel's history in Canaan, and it contains 24 chapters.

12. The book can be divided into two sections and an appendix: the first part detailing events after Moses' death and the conquest of the land (Chapters 1-12); the second part dealing with the division of the land (Chapters 13-21). The appendices cover the Reubenite, Gadite, and half-tribe of Manasseh settling beyond the Jordan, Joshua's final speech, and his death (Chapters 22-24).

13. The importance of the Book of Joshua is highlighted by the sages in the Talmudic tractate of Nedarim: "Had the Israelites not sinned, they would have only been granted the Five Books of Moses and the Book of Joshua."

14. Many miracles occurred under Joshua's leadership. The Jordan River split, Jericho's fortified walls collapsed after the Israelites sounded the shofar and circled it, huge hailstones fell upon enemies, and the sun and moon stood still upon Joshua's command.

15. Joshua was said in the Sifrei to have conquered kings and rulers across the world.

16. Upon conquering the Land of Israel, Joshua instituted the Blessing of the Land in the Grace After Meals. The blessing begins with the words: 'We give thanks to You.' (Berakhot 48b) After Jericho's walls fell, acknowledging the great miracles witnessed by Israel, Joshua established the 'Aleinu' prayer.

17. After Joshua's death, no leader succeeded him immediately. The people were led by the Elders, followed by the Judges.

18. Joshua passed away at the age of 110. In the Talmud, our sages question: Hashem promised Joshua "as I was with Moses, so will I be with you," so why did Joshua not live to 120 like Moses? They answer: When Hashem told Moses, 'Avenge the Israelites against the Midianites and then you shall be gathered to your people,' despite this revelation of impending death, Moses hurried the action, as stated: 'Moses sent them.' However, with Joshua, upon coming to fight the 31 kings, he thought 'if I defeat them all at once, I will die quickly, as did Moses', so he delayed the battles, as stated: 'Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.' Hashem said to him: 'As you have done, I will shorten your life by ten years.' They further comment in Proverbs: 'Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is Hashem’s purpose that prevails.'

19. The tomb of Joshua Ben Nun is located in the Arab village of Kifl Harith, about a kilometer northwest of Ariel. The site is associated with the biblical Timnath Serah, mentioned as Joshua's burial place. Nearby, another tomb is attributed to his father, Nun. Jews traditionally visit the grave on Joshua's yahrzeit, the 26th of Nisan.

May his merit protect us all.