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Shevi’i
- War with Sichon and Og:
- The request: The Jewish people sent messengers to Sichon the Emorite king asking permission to pass through his land. “Let us pass through your land. We will not pass through fields or vineyards and will not drink the well water. We shall travel the king’s road until we cross your border.”
- The battle with Sichon: Sichon refused entry to the Jewish people and he gathered his entire nation to greet the Jewish people in the desert and wage war with them. Bnei Yisrael waged a successful war against Sichon and conquered all of his cities and settled in them.
- The battle of Yaazor: Moshe sent spies to Yaazor and they conquered the city and drove out the Emorites from there.
- The battle of Og: They left from there towards Bashan and Og. The king of Bashan came to battle them with all of his nation. Hashem told Moshe not to fear Og as he, his nation, and his land, will be delivered to his hands, just as was done with Sichon. Og and his entire nation were smitten to the point of no survivors and they took possession of his land.
- The Jewish people traveled and encamped in the plains of Moav, opposite the Jordon, near Yericho.
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 21:21–35 & 22:1
21:21 — Sending Messengers
Q1. Why does the Torah say “Israel sent messengers” if elsewhere it says Moshe sent them?
A. Rashi explains that both are true because Moshe represents all of Israel. This teaches that the leader of the generation is equivalent to the entire people, and Israel is represented through its leader, Moshe.
21:22 — Request for Passage
Q2. Why did Israel ask Sichon for permission to pass through peacefully?
A. Even though they were not commanded to first offer peace, they chose to request peaceful passage, showing their desire to avoid conflict.
21:23 — Sichon’s Refusal
Q3. Why did Sichon refuse Israel’s request?
A. Sichon ruled over surrounding nations and protected them. He saw Israel as a threat and believed his role was to block them.
Q4. What was unusual about Sichon coming out to fight Israel?
A. Normally, his city was impossible to conquer, and he himself was extremely strong. Hashem arranged that all the armies gathered outside so Israel could defeat them in one place and easily take the empty cities.
21:24 — Conquest of Land
Q5. Why did Israel not take land from Ammon?
A. Because Hashem had commanded not to disturb Ammon, and that divine command was their strength and protection.
21:25 — Settling the Cities
Q6. What does “בנותיה” mean?
A. It refers to the smaller surrounding villages of the main cities.
21:26 — Land from Moav
Q7. Why does the Torah explain that Sichon fought Moav?
A. So we understand that although the land originally belonged to Moav, once Sichon conquered it, it became permitted for Israel to take it.
21:27 — “המושלים”
Q8. Who are “those who speak in parables”?
A. Rashi explains this refers to Balaam and his father Beor.
Q9. Why are they mentioned?
A. Because Sichon used Balaam’s power of speech and curses to help him conquer cities like Cheshbon.
21:28–29 — Poem About Moav
Q10. What does the “fire from Cheshbon” represent?
A. It refers to Sichon’s conquest that destroyed parts of Moav.
Q11. What is “כמוש”?
A. It is the name of the god worshipped by Moav.
Q12. Why does Rashi say Balaam cursed Moav?
A. He explains that Moav’s downfall was connected to Balaam’s influence and curses helping Sichon defeat them.
21:30 — “ונירם אבד”
Q13. What does “נירם” mean?
A. It refers to sovereignty or rulership, meaning Moav’s control over the land was destroyed.
Q14. What does “ונשים” mean?
A. It comes from the root meaning desolation, indicating complete destruction of the land.
21:31–32 — Spies of Ya’zer
Q15. What was different about these spies?
A. They actually conquered the land themselves, unlike the earlier spies. They trusted in Moshe’s prayers and Hashem’s help.
21:33–34 — Og of Bashan
Q16. Why was Moshe afraid of Og?
A. Moshe feared that Og had merit because he once informed Avraham about Lot being captured.
Q17. What reassurance did Hashem give?
A. Hashem told Moshe not to fear because Og would be defeated just like Sichon.
21:35 — Defeat of Og
Q18. Who killed Og according to Rashi?
A. Moshe himself killed Og, demonstrating Hashem’s assistance in overcoming even a powerful enemy.
22:1 — Arrival in Moav
Q19. Where did Bnei Yisrael go next?
A. They camped in the plains of Moav across from Yericho.