Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
The Message Behind the Plague of Snakes
An intriguing episode in our parashah raises many questions. The Jews expressed their deep dissatisfaction with the mann (manna), resulting in a deadly plague of snakes that caused many people to perish. Subsequently, they were filled with remorse and sought to repent. Interestingly, Hashem commanded Moshe to make an image of a snake and place it on a pole. A copper snake was crafted and placed high above the camp, and those who looked upward at it were healed from the lethal snake bites.
The mann possessed many supernatural qualities and was an extraordinary gift from Hashem (God). What caused the Jews to complain about it? Furthermore, why was there specifically a plague of snakes? Hashem could have punished them in many other ways. It is also difficult to understand the significance of the copper snake. Why would looking at a snake placed on a pole help bring about their healing?
Why Moshe Made a Copper Snake
The mann was truly remarkable. It could taste like whatever a Jew desired and fell directly from heaven without any effort on their part. Yet they failed to appreciate this miraculous gift and complained. Hashem specifically sent a plague of snakes, since the snake was punished after the sin of Adam and Chava (Eve) with the curse that all its food would taste the same. Appropriately, this was a punishment for them complaining about food that could taste like whatever they wanted it to (Rashi).
Furthermore, the sin of Adam and Chava was closely connected to a lack of appreciation. Hashem had given them so much, yet asked only one thing of them—not to eat from the Eitz HaDaat (Tree of Knowledge). Nevertheless, the snake enticed them to sin. In this sense, the snake epitomizes ingratitude and was therefore a fitting punishment for Klal Yisrael (the Jewish nation)’s lack of appreciation. (The Rokeach)
Recognizing the True Source of Healing
We still need to explain the significance of the copper snake. In the words of Chazal (Our Sages – Rosh Hashanah 29a), “Does a snake cause death or life? Rather, when they looked upward and directed their hearts to Hashem, recognizing that everything comes from Him, they were healed.” Their salvation came solely from Hashem. When Klal Yisrael humbly turned their hearts toward Hashem and recognized Him as the source of all their blessings, they were miraculously healed and the plague ceased.
Yet why specifically did Moshe fashion a snake?
The Ramban (Bamidbar 21:9) explains that it was to help them internalize that Hashem is the sole source of health and healing. The snake was the very creature that bit them and caused such suffering, yet it only possessed that power because Hashem willed it. In truth, it is entirely powerless. If Hashem wishes, the very thing that causes harm can become the source of healing. Thus, the copper snake demonstrated that Hashem alone is the source of both affliction and cure.
The Blessing of Asher Yatzar
This idea applies to our own lives as well. Our health is solely due to Hashem’s great mercy and kindness. Every second, countless processes take place within our bodies to keep us alive and healthy. It is for this reason that Chazal instituted the berachah (blessing) of Asher Yatzar, recited after using the restroom.
The Seder Hayom, a contemporary of the Arizal, teaches that it is extremely important to recite Asher Yatzar carefully and with concentration, appreciating the incredible kindness reflected in the wonders of the human body. He writes that one who does so is guaranteed good health. For this reason, Rav Chaim Kanievsky taught that dedicating this berachah in the merit of someone who is ill can help bring about their recovery.
Many of our great tzaddikim (righteous individuals) were exceptionally meticulous about this. The Chafetz Chaim would recite Asher Yatzar from a siddur (prayer book) with great concentration, while Rabbi Shimon Schwab testified that Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman recited it with such fervor that it resembled the prayer of Ne’ilah (closing prayer on the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur).
There are also many stories of people who undertook to recite Asher Yatzar with greater concentration and witnessed remarkable yeshuot (salvations). The following is one example:
A young girl suffering from severe digestive problems was scheduled to undergo a series of complex surgeries in America. Her family undertook to recite Asher Yatzar from a siddur with proper concentration and encouraged friends to do the same. Following the first surgery, doctors reported a dramatic improvement in her condition, and no further surgeries were necessary. (Just One Word Amen, p. 142)
A Daily Expression of Gratitude
Our rabbis instituted the blessing of Asher Yatzar to express our appreciation for the countless processes that enable us to remain healthy.
By Rabbi Daniel Shasha, author of “Living Appreciation”
Living Appreciation is launching a new initiative called The Asher Yatzar Project. We are forming an email list through which, each week, the name of a different choleh (ill person) will be sent out. Participants will be encouraged to try to recite Asher Yatzar once a day with a little more focus in the merit of that person’s recovery.
To submit a name or join the initiative, please email: asheryatzarproject@gmail.com
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