Question
Why was the snake chosen to be looked upon for healing (the bronze snake on a pole-Moses). I would think another type of symbol would be used for healing, rather one that represents evil. Why not a lamb or a dove??
Answer
Hi,
According to some commentators, the choice of a snake in Numbers 21; 8-9 reflected the sin of the Jews that the plague sought to correct (see verse 7 – reflecting a sin of speech). Since it was through improper speech that the snake of Genesis sinned (see Gen. 3; 1), this image might well have served as a reminder of the horrifying implications of that error and could have thus inspired appropriate contrition (the ultimate goal of the exercise).
Rabbi Boruch Clinton
Ottawa, Canada