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What happened to Moses' staff? Where is it now?


By Menachem Posner

What an interesting question!

The Midrash1 tells us that the staff was passed down from generation to generation and was in the possession of the Judean kings until the First Temple was destroyed. In Samuel I, 17:40, it is said concerning King David: "And he took his staff in his hand." According to Midrashic tradition, this is a reference to Moses' special staff.

It is unknown what became of the staff after the Temple was destroyed and the Jews were exiled from their land.

Yours truly,

Rabbi Menachem Posner
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FOOTNOTES
1.

Yalkut Shimoni, Chukat 763.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Jan 27, 2010
moses staff
I visited Turkey this past spring and saw Moses' staff displayed at Topkapi Palace
Posted By Anonymous, Des Moines, Ia, USA

Posted: Jan 12, 2010
Moses' Staff
Be careful, the staff of Moses represents the banner under which we serve God. This banner indicates to the world who we serve. The staff of Moses in those days were the banner stating that he served God and walked in fear of God. What banner do you raise for people to see, your favorite cricket team, material riches or do your banner clearly reflect that you serve God like the banner of Moses did, namely his staff.
Posted By Advocate James Clark, Gauteng South Africa, Rayton

Posted: Dec 4, 2009
Location of Mose's Staff
According to the identifying document at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, mose's staff is on display there.
Posted By Anonymous, el paso, tx, usa

Posted: Oct 15, 2009
Moses Staff
I have recently read that Moses staff was originally taken from the tree of knowledge by Adam as he was leaving the Garden of Eden. The staff was then passed down from patriarch to patriarch until the destruction of the temple.
Is this a cultural story passed down from generations or someones musings?
Posted By Tom Rasey, Great Falls, Mt. USA

Posted: Aug 5, 2009
What happened to Moses' staff? Where is it now?
I dont have a good reference from the Bible about the "Staff", quoting from Rabbi Menachem Posner quote "The Midrash tells us that the staff was passed down from generation to generation and was in the possession of the Judean kings until the First Temple was destroyed" I end up with a question, what is so special about the staff that it had to be passed from generation to generation? I mean Moses was chosen and on the contrary - the staff didnt perform any miracles but God.
Posted By Anonymous, Germiston, South Africa

Posted: Nov 6, 2008
Between david and the exile
You write that it is unknown what happened to the staff after the destruction of the Temple. I say, back up a bit. Is anything known about the staff after the times of king david?
Posted By GF

Posted: Apr 26, 2007
RE: Artifacts
Many of the artifacts were stolen by the Romans when the 2nd Beis Hamikdash was destroyed. The Roman leader Titus has a sculpture of the takings of the Temple, namely the Menorah, the Shulchan and many great treasures. These are all believed to be hidden in the catacombes of the Vatican to this day. Israel has seeked access to these artifacts but the Church has either denied it or refused access. Do a google search to learn more.

Also, there is some debate about the Menorah that was stolen, since the depiction in Titus' sculpture is innacurate to Jewish tradition.

All based on my memory, take with a grain of salt.
Posted By Gershon Fiedler, Chicago, IL

Posted: Apr 26, 2007
Are there many items mentioned in the Bible missing? if so what are them? And has any reseach been done to try to find these bilbilical artifacts?l
Posted By Gisele, Brooklyn, NY

Posted: Apr 25, 2007
Staff in the Stone
If memory serves me, the Midrash said that the staff originated from Adam and was passed down for generations until it was intentionally placed in stone. The only person able to get it out of stone would be the redeemer of the Jews. Moshe was the only one to be able to take the staff of the ground.

This has obvious connections to the story, the "Sword in the Stone." I'm curious to see who the original writer of that story was, since he obviously stole it right out of this Midrash.
Posted By Gershon Fiedler, Chicago, IL



 


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