Midrash sur Les Nombres 21:8

(Fol. 29) MISHNAH: (Ex. 17, 11) And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, etc. Do then the hands of Moses cause war to be waged or to cease? But the passage means to teach this lesson: VThen the Israelites looked upward and pledged their hearts to their Father in heaven, they prevailed; but when they ceased to do so, they failed. We find a similar instance also in (Num. 21, 8) Make unto thee a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live. Could, then, the serpent kill or bring to life? But the passage means to teach this lesson: When the Israelites looked upward for aid and pledged their hearts to their Father in heaven, they were healed; but when they did not, they perished.

(Fol. 55) Samuel said again: "What does the passage (Num. 218). And from the wilderness of Mathanah to Nachaliel; and from Nachaliel to Bamoth, mean? This means that if a man make himself just as the wilderness upon which everybody treads, the Torah will be given to him as a gift. Since the Torah was given to him as a gift, the Torah will remain with him as an inheritance, as it is said and from Mathanah to Nachaliel. Since the Torah will remain with him as an inheritance, he will rise to distinction, as it is said and from Nachaliel to Bamoth. But if he exalt himself [with his learning] the Holy One, praised be He! will lower him, as it is said and from Bamoth to the valley; and if he reconsiders his conduct the Holy One, praised be He! will raise him again, as it is said (Is. 40, 4) Every valley shall be raised."

(Ibid. 11) "And it was, when Moses lifted his hand, that Israel prevailed, etc." Now do the hands of Moses strengthen Israel or break Amalek? Rather, whenever Moses lifted his hand heavenward, they gazed at it and affirmed their faith in Him who commanded Moses to do thus, and the Holy One Blessed be He wrought for them miracles and mighty acts. Similarly, (Numbers 21:8) "Make for yourself a saraf (a fiery serpent), etc." Now does a snake put to death or bring to life? Rather, whenever he did so, Israel would gaze at it and affirm their faith in Him who commanded Moses to do thus, and the Holy One Blessed be He wrought healings for them. Similarly, (Exodus 12:13) "And the blood shall be for you as a sign, etc." Now how can the blood affect an angel or Israel? Rather, when Israel did this and placed the blood on their doors, the Holy One Blessed be He pitied them, viz. (Ibid. 23) "And the L rd shall skip over the door." R. Eliezer says: What is the intent of "and Israel will grow strong" or "and Amalek will grow strong"? __ Whenever Moses would raise his hands heavenward, Israel strengthened themselves in words of Torah, which were destined to be given by his hands. And whenever he lowered his hands, Israel weakened in words of Torah, which were destined to be given by his hands.