The Antidote for Sin

[Shimon]

“So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole, and it happened that whenever a snake bit anyone and he looked at the bronze snake, he lived.”

• Numbers 21:9, Tree of Life Version

In the fortieth year of the wandering in the desert, as Israel was getting closer to the Promised Land, they took a detour around the land of Edom, the habitat of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, seemingly moving further away from the goal to reach Eretz Yisrael. Torah records, that “the spirit of the people became impatient along the way” (Numbers 21:4, TLV).

Moreover, “the people spoke out against G’d and Moses: ‘Why have you brought us from Egypt to die in the wilderness, because there is no bread, no water; and our soul detests this light bread'” (Numbers 21:5). They were critical of the L’RD’s provision of manna; the people’s complaint was met with fiery serpents that the L’RD sent “among the people, and they bit the people; and much of Israel died” (Numbers 21:6).

When those of the Israelites who were bitten looked upon the copper serpent on a pole, they lived. The Mishnah explains that it was not that the copper serpent itself healed; for it is not within the proclivity of a serpent’s nature to heal, let alone, a carved image of a serpent, rather, “when Israel turned their thoughts above and subjected their hearts to their Father in Heaven, they were healed” (Talmud Rosh HaShannah 29a).

The elusive nature of sin is such that it is hidden amongst behavior that might be considered normal, in other words, the norm amongst a certain population of people. However, like a serpent, it remains unseen until the moment that it strikes; incidently, this also characterizes the disposition of the yetzer harah (evil inclination; Romans 7:23).

Therefore, we must be on guard against sin; it is recommended to be aware of what constitutes sin. For B’nei Yisrael, they may not have realized the gravity of their sin – complaining against G’d’s provision – until the serpents were sent. Through teshuvah (repentance) they were able to acknowledge their sin, confess, and turn their hearts towards the L’RD in an earnest plea for forgiveness.

The bite of a serpent is reminiscent of the effect of sin, like poison to the individual who transgressed. Therefore, the specific antidote for sin was symbolized by a serpent (nachash) placed upon a pole (nes). The gematria (numerology) for nachash (serpent) is the same for moshiach (annointed) – 358. This connection alludes to the role of HaMoshiach (the Messiah). He is the antidote to sin; he was raised upon HaEtz (literally, the tree), like the serpent upon the pole (nes). The word, nes, also meaning, “miracle,” hints towards resurrection of the Messiah – the miracle that occurred three days later.

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”

• John 3:14-15, TLV