The Ramban cites the Midrash that explains why Moshe “allowed” his hands to be lowered, thereby endangering the Jews in battle. The Midrash explains that Moshe’s action was consistent with the dictates of halacha. Halacha states that one should not spend more than three hours with his hands spread out in prayer toward Heaven. Let us now attempt to reconcile this halacha with the matter of war against Amalek. Klal Yisrael was waging battle against a powerful and ruthless enemy. Amalek was an unscrupulous people, accustomed to violence. In contrast, Klal Yisrael had recently been liberated from a state of…
