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Devarim -
Fifth Aliyah |
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Until now, Moses has concentrated on the previous generation’s failings. Now, nearly forty years on, Moses describes in great detail the circuitous route they were made to take. We are retold stories of the children of Israel’s dealings with tribes lying between them and the promised land. With hostile confrontation forbidden by G-d, and entry denied by the inhabiting tribes, the people were forced to skirt around the Bnei Esav (Edomites) on Mount Seir (Numbers 20:14-21), the Moavim (Moabites) in Ar (Numbers 21:10-20) and the Bnei Ammon (Ammonites), and were ordered to march toward the land.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. Why did Moses not want to provoke the tribes of Edom and Moav?
2. Why do you think so much detail is given about these and other surrounding tribes?
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“ ‘And the Emori went out...and pursued you as bees do, and attacked you...’ (Devarim 1:44). How is it in the case of a bee? When it stings a person, it dies soon after! Similarly with your pursuers: when they attacked you, they died soon afterwards (Numbers 21:21-31).”
Midrash, Rabbah 17
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 | | Points to Ponder | |
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Is the demise of an enemy any kind of consolation for the pain he or she has caused you? Does your answer depend on whether the consolation is based on vengeful satisfaction, the abating of anger, or the fact that justice has prevailed?
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