Vayehi 5772: Bows and Arrows

We normally associate Judaism and Torah with peace.  So it is somewhat surprising to read a militaristic verse like Genesis 48:22, in which Jacob says to Joseph, "And now, I assign to you one portion more than to your brothers, which I wrested from the Amorites with my sword and bow."

The Talmud (B. Bava Batra 123a) recognizes the surprising mention of weaponry and counters with a verse from Psalm 44:  "I do not trust in my bow, and my sword will not save me."  The Talmud resolves the conflict by saying that "my bow" in verse 48:22 refers to Jacob's power of prayer, and "my sword" in the same verse refers to his power of bakashah, or making a request of God.

Although weapons are sometimes necessary to defend innocent life, this midrash in the Talmud is simply saying that weapons do not change the world; only ideas can do that.