Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, Moshe Rabbeinu continues recounting the journeys of the Bnei Yisrael in the midbar, recalling how Hashem commanded them to turn away from the borders of Esau in Seir and the children of Lot in Moab and Ammon. Hashem warns the nation not to wage war with these peoples or take their lands, as these territories were given to them as an inheritance. We see the immense chesed of Hashem, Who sustained our ancestors for forty years in the wilderness so that they lacked absolutely nothing.

We also learn of the transition between the generation of the spies and the new generation entering the land. After thirty-eight years of wandering, the generation of warriors had completely passed away, and the time came for the Bnei Yisrael to cross the wadi Arnon and begin the conquest of the land of Sihon, the Amorite king of Heshbon.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֵלַיto meלֵאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

רַבMuchלָכֶםfor youסֹבis the circling ofאֶת—הָהָרthe mountainהַזֶּהthisפְּנוּturnלָכֶםyourselvesצָפֹנָה׃northward

רַשִׁ״י

פנוturnלכםfor yourselvesצפנה.northwardסֹבּוּturnלָכֶםfor yourselvesלְרוּחַto the sideמִזְרָחִית,easternמִןfromהַדָּרוֹםthe southלַצָּפוֹן,to the northפְּנֵיכֶםyour facesלַצָּפוֹן,to the northנִמְצְאוּthey were foundהוֹלְכִיםtravelingאֶת—רוּחַthe sideהַמִּזְרָחִיתthe easternוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat which is saidשופטיםShoftimי"א11"וַיָבוֹאוּand they cameוַיָּבֹאand he cameמִמִּזְרַחfrom the east ofשֶׁמֶשׁthe sunלְאֶרֶץto the land ofמוֹאָב":Moav

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וְאֶתAnd —הָעָםthe peopleצַוcommandלֵאמֹרsayingאַתֶּםyouעֹבְרִיםare passingבִּגְבוּלthrough the border ofאֲחֵיכֶםyour brothersבְּנֵיthe children ofעֵשָׂוEsavהַיֹּשְׁבִיםwho dwellבְּשֵׂעִירin Seirוְיִירְאוּand they will fearמִכֶּםof youוְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּםand you shall watchמְאֹד׃very much

רַשִׁ״י

ונשמרתםAnd you shall guardמאד.very muchוּמַהוּand what isהַשְּׁמִירָה?the guardingאלdo notתתגרוcontendבםwith them:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

אַלdo notתִּתְגָּרוּprovokeבָםthemכִּיforלֹאnotאֶתֵּןI will giveלָכֶםto youמֵאַרְצָםfrom their landעַדevenמִדְרַךְa tread ofכַּףthe sole ofרָגֶלa footכִּיforיְרֻשָּׁהan inheritanceלְעֵשָׂוto EsavנָתַתִּיI have givenאֶת—הַרthe mountain ofשֵׂעִיר׃Seir

רַשִׁ״י

עדUntilמדרךthe treading ofכףthe sole ofרגל.a footאֲפִלּוּevenמִדְרַךְthe treading ofכַּףthe sole ofרֶגֶל,a footכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayאֲפִלּוּevenדְּרִיסַתthe stepping ofהָרֶגֶלthe footאֵינִיI do notמַרְשֶׁהpermitלָכֶםyouלַעֲבֹרto passבְּאַרְצָםthrough their landשֶׁלֹּאwithoutבִרְשׁוּת.permissionוּמִדְרַשׁand the Midrashicאַגָּדָהexplanation isעַדuntilשֶׁיָּבֹאthere shall comeיוֹםthe day ofדְּרִיסַתthe treading ofכַּףthe sole ofרֶגֶלa footעַלuponהַרthe Mount ofהַזֵּיתִים,Olivesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidזכריהZechariahי"ד14"וְעָמְדוּand shall standרַגְלָיוHis feetוְגוֹ'":etc.

רַשִׁ״י

ירשהan inheritanceלעשו.to Esauמֵאַבְרָהָם,from AvrahamעֲשָׂרָהtenעֲמָמִיםnationsנָתַתִּיI gaveלוֹ,to himשִׁבְעָהsevenלָכֶםto youוְקֵינִיand the Keniteוּקְנִזִּיand the Kenizziteוְקַדְמוֹנִיand the Kadmoniteהֵןthey areעַמּוֹןAmmonוּמוֹאָבand Moavוְשֵׂעִיר,and Seirאֶחָדoneמֵהֶםof themלְעֵשָׂוto Esauוְהַשְּׁנַיִםand the twoלִבְנֵיto the children ofלוֹט,Lotבִּשְׂכַרas rewardשֶׁהָלַךְthat he wentאִתּוֹwith himלְמִצְרַיִםto Mitzrayimוְשָׁתַקand he kept silentעַלaboutמַהwhatשֶּׁהָיָהthat he wasאוֹמֵרsayingעַלaboutאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeאֲחוֹתִיmy sisterהִיא,she isעֲשָׂאוֹHe treated himכִּבְנוֹlike his sonבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbahנ"א51:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

אֹכֶלFoodתִּשְׁבְּרוּyou shall buyמֵאִתָּםfrom themבַּכֶּסֶףfor moneyוַאֲכַלְתֶּםand you shall eatוְגַםand alsoמַיִםwaterתִּכְרוּyou shall purchaseמֵאִתָּםfrom themבַּכֶּסֶףfor moneyוּשְׁתִיתֶם׃and you shall drink

רַשִׁ״י

תכרו.you shall buyלְשׁוֹןan expression ofמֶקַח,purchaseוְכֵןand so"אֲשֶׁר"whichכָּרִיתִיI boughtלִי"for myself"בראשיתBereishisנ'fifty,שֶׁכֵּןfor soבִּכְרַכֵּיin the cities ofהַיָּםthe seaקוֹרִיןthey callלִמְכִירָהto sellingכִּירָהkirahראשRoshהשנהHashanahכ"וtwenty-six:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

כִּיForיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godבֵּרַכְךָhas blessed youבְּכֹלin allמַעֲשֵׂהthe work ofיָדֶךָyour handיָדַעHe knewלֶכְתְּךָyour walking throughאֶת—הַמִּדְבָּרthe wildernessהַגָּדֹלgreatהַזֶּהthisזֶהtheseאַרְבָּעִיםfortyשָׁנָהyearsיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godעִמָּךְwas with youלֹאnotחָסַרְתָּdid you lackדָּבָר׃a thing

רַשִׁ״י

כיForה'Hashemאלהיךyour Godברכך.has blessed youלְפִיכָךְthereforeלֹאdo notתִכְפּוּdenyאֶת—טוֹבָתוֹHis goodnessלְהַרְאוֹתto showכְּאִלּוּas ifאַתֶּםyouעֲנִיִּים,are poorאֶלָּאratherהַרְאוּshowעַצְמְכֶםyourselvesעֲשִׁירִים:wealthy

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַנַּעֲבֹרAnd we passedמֵאֵתfrom byאַחֵינוּour brothersבְנֵיthe children ofעֵשָׂוEsavהַיֹּשְׁבִיםwho dwellבְּשֵׂעִירin Seirמִדֶּרֶךְfrom the way ofהָעֲרָבָהthe Arabahמֵאֵילַתfrom Eilatוּמֵעֶצְיֹןand from EtzyonגָּבֶרGeverוַנֵּפֶןand we turnedוַנַּעֲבֹרand we passedדֶּרֶךְthe way ofמִדְבַּרthe wilderness ofמוֹאָב׃Moav

רַשִׁ״י

ונפןAnd we turnedונעבר.and we passedלְצַדtowards the side ofצָפוֹןnorthהָפַכְנוּwe turnedפָנִיםfacesלַהֲלֹךְto goרוּחַthe sideמִזְרָחִית:eastern

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאֵלַיto meאֶלdo notתָּצַרdistressאֶת—מוֹאָבMoavוְאַלand do notתִּתְגָּרprovokeבָּםthemמִלְחָמָהto warכִּיforלֹאnotאֶתֵּןI will giveלְךָto youמֵאַרְצוֹfrom his landיְרֻשָּׁהan inheritanceכִּיforלִבְנֵיto the children ofלוֹטLotנָתַתִּיI have givenאֶת—עָרArיְרֻשָּׁה׃as an inheritance

רַשִׁ״י

ואלAnd do notתתגרcontendבםwith themוגו'.etc.לֹאNotאָסַרdid He forbidלָהֶםto themעַלregardingמוֹאָבMoavאֶלָּאexceptמִלְחָמָה,warאֲבָלbutמְיָרְאִיםfrighteningהָיוּthey wereאוֹתָם,themוְנִרְאִיםand appearingלָהֶםto themכְּשֵׁהֶםwhen they areמְזֻיָּנִים,armedלְפִיכָךְthereforeכְּתִיבit is writtenבמדברBamidbarכ"ב22"וַיָּגָר"And was afraidמוֹאָבMoavמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהָעָם",the people"שֶׁהָיוּfor they wereשׁוֹלְלִיםplunderingוּבוֹזְזִיםand lootingאוֹתָם;themאֲבָלbutבִּבְנֵיregarding the children ofעַמּוֹןAmmonנֶאֱמַרit is saidפסוקverseי"ט19"וְאַל"And do notתִּתְגָּרcontendבָּם"with them"–שׁוּםanyגֵּרוּי,provocationבִּשְׂכַרas a reward forצְנִיעוּתthe modesty ofאִמָּם,their motherשֶׁלֹּאwho did notפִרְסְמָהpublicizeעַלconcerningאָבִיהָher fatherכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁעָשְׂתָהthat which didהַבְּכִירָהthe elder daughterשֶׁקָּרְאָהwho calledשֵׁםthe name ofבְּנָהּher sonמוֹאָבMoavבבאBavaקמאKammaל"ח38:

רַשִׁ״י

ער.Arשֵׁםis the name ofהַמְּדִינָה:the province

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

הָאֵמִיםThe Emimלְפָנִיםformerlyיָשְׁבוּdweltבָהּin itעַםa peopleגָּדוֹלgreatוְרַבand numerousוָרָםand tallכָּעֲנָקִים׃as the Anakites

רַשִׁ״י

האמיםThe Emimלפניםformerlyוגו'.etc.אַתָּהYouסָבוּרmight thinkשֶׁזּוֹthat thisאֶרֶץis the land ofרְפָאִיםRephaimשֶׁנָּתַתִּיthat I gaveלוֹto himלְאַבְרָהָם,to Avrahamלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָאֵמִיםthat the Emimשֶׁהֵםwho areרְפָאִיםRephaimיָשְׁבוּdweltבָהּin itלְפָנִים,formerlyאֲבָלbutלֹאnotזוֹthisהִיא,is itכִּיbecauseאוֹתָןthoseרְפָאִיםRephaimהוֹרַשְׁתִּיI drove outמִפְּנֵיfrom beforeבְנֵיthe children ofלוֹטLotוְהוֹשַׁבְתִּיםand I settled themתַּחְתָּם:in their stead

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

רְפָאִיםRephaimיֵחָשְׁבוּthey are countedאַףalsoהֵםtheyכָּעֲנָקִיםlike the Anakitesוְהַמֹּאָבִיםbut the Moabitesיִקְרְאוּcallלָהֶםthemאֵמִים׃Emim

רַשִׁ״י

רפאיםRephaimיחשבוthey are accountedוגו'.etc.רְפָאִיםRephaimהָיוּwereנֶחֱשָׁבִיןaccountedאוֹתָםthoseאֵמִים,Emimכָּעֲנָקִיםas the Anakimהַנִּקְרָאִיםwho are calledרְפָאִים,Rephaimעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofשֶׁכָּלthat everyoneהָרוֹאֶהwho sawאוֹתָםthemיָדָיוhis handsמִתְרַפּוֹתbecame weakבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbahכ"ו26:

רַשִׁ״י

אמים.Eimimעַלonשֵׁםthe nameשֶׁאֵימָתָםthat their dreadמֻטֶּלֶתwas castעַלuponהַבְּרִיּוֹתthe peopleשםthere,וְכֵןand soבְּשֵׂעִירin Seirיָשְׁבוּdweltהַחֹרִיםthe Horimוּנְתַתִּיםand I gave themלִבְנֵיto the children ofעֵשָׂו:Esav

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וּבְשֵׂעִירAnd in Seirיָשְׁבוּdweltהַחֹרִיםthe Horitesלְפָנִיםformerlyוּבְנֵיand the children ofעֵשָׂוEsauיִירָשׁוּםdispossessed themוַיַּשְׁמִידוּםand destroyed themמִפְּנֵיהֶםfrom before themוַיֵּשְׁבוּand they dweltתַּחְתָּםin their placeכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asעָשָׂהdidיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelלְאֶרֶץto the land ofיְרֻשָּׁתוֹtheir possessionאֲשֶׁרwhichנָתַןgaveיְהוָהHashemלָהֶם׃to them

רַשִׁ״י

יירשום.they shall drive them outלָשׁוֹןis an expression ofהוֹוֶה,present tenseכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayנָתַתִּיI gaveבָהֶםin themכֹּחַstrengthשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereמוֹרִישִׁיםdriving outאוֹתָםthemוְהוֹלְכִים:and continuously going

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

עַתָּהNowקֻמוּariseוְעִבְרוּand crossלָכֶםfor yourselvesאֶת—נַחַלthe valley ofזָרֶדZeredוַנַּעֲבֹרand we crossedאֶת—נַחַלthe valley ofזָרֶד׃Zered

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וְהַיָּמִיםAnd the daysאֲשֶׁרthatהָלַכְנוּwe traveledמִקָּדֵשׁfrom KadeshבַּרְנֵעַBarneaעַדuntilאֲשֶׁרthatעָבַרְנוּwe crossedאֶת—נַחַלthe stream ofזֶרֶדZeredשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyוּשְׁמֹנֶהand eightשָׁנָהyearsעַדuntilתֹּםthe end ofכָּלallהַדּוֹרthe generation ofאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofהַמִּלְחָמָהwarמִקֶּרֶבfrom the midst ofהַמַּחֲנֶהthe campכַּאֲשֶׁרasנִשְׁבַּעhad swornיְהוָהHashemלָהֶם׃to them

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וְגַםAnd alsoיַדthe hand ofיְהוָהHashemהָיְתָהwasבָּםagainst themלְהֻמָּםto destroy themמִקֶּרֶבfrom the midst ofהַמַּחֲנֶהthe campעַדuntilתֻּמָּם׃their consumption

רַשִׁ״י

היתהwasבם.against themלְמַהֵרto hastenוּלְהֻמָּםand to destroy themבְּתוֹךְwithinאַרְבָּעִיםfortyשָׁנָה,yearsשֶׁלֹּאso that notיִגְרְמוּthey should causeלִבְנֵיהֶםfor their childrenעוֹדfurtherלְהִתְעַכֵּבto tarryבַּמִּדְבָּר:in the wilderness

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיְהִיAnd it wasכַאֲשֶׁרwhenתַּמּוּfinishedכָּלallאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofהַמִּלְחָמָהwarלָמוּתto dieמִקֶּרֶבfrom the midst ofהָעָם׃the people

רַשִׁ״י

ויהיAnd it wasכאשרwhenתמוwere finishedוגו'etc.וידברand spokeה'Hashemאליto meוגו'.etc.אֲבָלButמִשִּׁלּוּחַfrom the sendingהַמְרַגְּלִיםof the spiesעַדuntilכָּאןhereלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרwas it saidבְּפָרָשָׁהin the sectionזוֹthisוַיְדַבֵּרand He spokeאֶלָּאbut ratherוַיֹּאמֶר,and He saidלְלַמֶּדְךָto teach youשֶׁכָּלthat allל"חthirty eightשָׁנָהyearsשֶׁהָיוּthat wereיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelנְזוּפִים,censuredלֹאnotנִתְיַחֵדwas singled outעִמּוֹwith himהַדִּבּוּרthe Divine speechבִּלְשׁוֹןwith an expressionחִבָּה,of affectionפָּנִיםfaceאֶלtoפָּנִיםfaceוְיִשּׁוּבand tranquilityהַדַּעַתof the mind–לְלַמֶּדְךָto teach youשֶׁאֵיןthat notהַשְּׁכִינָהthe Shechinahשׁוֹרָהrestsעַלuponהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsאֶלָּאexceptבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelמכילתאMekhiltaשמותShemosי"בtwelve:

רַשִׁ״י

אנשיThe men ofהמלחמה.the warמִבֶּןfrom the age ofעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyשָׁנָהyearsהַיּוֹצְאִיםwho go outבַּצָּבָא:in the army

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeיְהוָהHashemאֵלַיto meלֵאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

אַתָּהyouעֹבֵרare passingהַיּוֹםtodayאֶת—גְּבוּלthe border ofמוֹאָבMoavאֶת—עָר׃Ar

רַשִׁ״י

אתהYouעברare passingהיוםtodayאת—גבולthe boundary ofמואב,Moavוקרבתand you will approachמולoppositeבניthe children ofעמון.Ammonמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁאֶרֶץthat the land ofעַמּוֹןAmmonלְצַדwas to the side ofצָפוֹן:north

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְקָרַבְתָּand you will approachמוּלoppositeבְּנֵיthe children ofעַמּוֹןAmmonאַלdo notתְּצֻרֵםharass themוְאַלand do notתִּתְגָּרprovokeבָּםthemכִּיforלֹאnotאֶתֵּןwill I giveמֵאֶרֶץfrom the land ofבְּנֵיthe children ofעַמּוֹןAmmonלְךָto youיְרֻשָּׁהas a possessionכִּיforלִבְנֵיto the children ofלוֹטLotנְתַתִּיהָI have given itיְרֻשָּׁה׃as a possession

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

אֶרֶץA land ofרְפָאִיםRephaimתֵּחָשֵׁבit is consideredאַףalsoהִואitרְפָאִיםRephaimיָשְׁבוּdweltבָהּin itלְפָנִיםformerlyוְהָעַמֹּנִיםand the Ammonitesיִקְרְאוּcalledלָהֶםthemזַמְזֻמִּים׃Zamzummim

רַשִׁ״י

ארץA land ofרפאיםRephaimתחשב.it was accountedאֶרֶץA land ofרְפָאִיםRephaimנֶחְשֶׁבֶתit is accountedאַףalsoהִיא,itלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָרְפָאִיםthat the Rephaimיָשְׁבוּdweltבָהּin itלְפָנִים,formerlyאֲבָלbutלֹאnotזוֹthisהִיאis itשֶׁנָּתַתִּיthat I gaveלְאַבְרָהָם:to Avraham

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

עַםa peopleגָּדוֹלgreatוְרַבand numerousוָרָםand tallכָּעֲנָקִיםas the Anakitesוַיַּשְׁמִידֵםand Hashem destroyed themיְהוָהHashemמִפְּנֵיהֶםfrom before themוַיִּירָשֻׁםand they dispossessed themוַיֵּשְׁבוּand they settledתַחְתָּם׃in their place

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

כַּאֲשֶׁרasעָשָׂהHe didלִבְנֵיfor the children ofעֵשָׂוEsavהַיֹּשְׁבִיםwho dwellבְּשֵׂעִירin SeirאֲשֶׁרwhoהִשְׁמִידHe destroyedאֶת—הַחֹרִיthe Choriמִפְּנֵיהֶםfrom before themוַיִּירָשֻׁםand they dispossessed themוַיֵּשְׁבוּand they settledתַחְתָּםin their placeעַדuntilהַיּוֹםthe dayהַזֶּה׃this

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וְהָעַוִּיםAnd the Avvimהַיֹּשְׁבִיםwho dweltבַּחֲצֵרִיםin villagesעַדuntilעַזָּהGazaכַּפְתֹּרִיםthe Caphtorimהַיֹּצְאִיםwho came outמִכַּפְתּוֹרfrom Caphtorהִשְׁמִידֻםdestroyed themוַיֵּשְׁבוּand they settledתַחְתָּם׃in their place

רַשִׁ״י

והעויםAnd the Avimהישביםwho dwellבחצריםin Hazerimוגו'.etc.עַוִּיםAvimמִפְּלִשְׁתִּיםfrom the Philistinesהֵם,they areשֶׁעִמָּהֶםfor with themהֵםtheyנֶחֱשָׁבִיםare countedבְּסֵפֶרin the Book ofיְהוֹשֻׁעַ,Yehoshuaשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidיהושעYehoshuaי"ג13"חֲמֵשֶׁתthe fiveסַרְנֵיlords ofפְלִשְׁתִּיםthe Philistinesהָעַזָּתִיthe Gazathiteוְהָאַשְׁדּוֹדִיand the Ashdothiteהָאֶשְׁקְלוֹנִיthe Eshkaloniteהַגִּתִּיthe Gittiteוְהָעֶקְרוֹנִיand the Ekroniteוְהָעַוִּים",and the Avimוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofהַשְּׁבוּעָהthe oathשֶׁנִּשְׁבַּעthat sworeאַבְרָהָםAvrahamלַאֲבִימֶלֶךְto Abimelechלֹאnotיָכְלוּwere ableיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelלְהוֹצִיאto take outאַרְצָםtheir landמִיָּדָם,from their handוְהֵבֵאתִיand I broughtעֲלֵיהֶםagainst themכַּפְתּוֹרִיםCaphtoritesוְהִשְׁמִידוּםand they destroyed themוַיֵּשְׁבוּand they dweltתַחְתָּם,in their steadוְעַכְשָׁיוand nowאַתֶּםyouמֻתָּרִיםare permittedלְקַחְתָּהּto take itמִיָּדָםfrom their handחוליןChullinס'60b:

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

קוּמוּAriseסְּעוּjourneyוְעִבְרוּand crossאֶת—נַחַלthe valley ofאַרְנֹןArnonרְאֵהseeנָתַתִּיI have givenבְיָדְךָinto your handאֶת—סִיחֹןSichonמֶלֶךְthe king ofחֶשְׁבּוֹןCheshbonהָאֱמֹרִיthe Emoriוְאֶתand —אַרְצוֹhis landהָחֵלbeginרָשׁto possessוְהִתְגָּרand provokeבּוֹhimמִלְחָמָה׃in battle

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

הַיּוֹםThis dayהַזֶּהthe sameאָחֵלI will beginתֵּתto placeפַּחְדְּךָthe dread of youוְיִרְאָתְךָand the fear of youעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהָעַמִּיםthe peoplesתַּחַתunderכָּלall ofהַשָּׁמָיִםthe heavensאֲשֶׁרwhoיִשְׁמְעוּןwill hearשִׁמְעֲךָyour reportוְרָגְזוּand they will trembleוְחָלוּand they will writheמִפָּנֶיךָ׃because of you

רַשִׁ״י

תחתUnderכלall ofהשמים.the heavenלִמֵּדThis teachesשֶׁעָמְדָהthat stood stillחַמָּהthe sunלְמֹשֶׁהfor Mosheבְּיוֹםon the day ofמִלְחֶמֶתthe battle ofעוֹגOgוְנוֹדַעand was knownהַדָּבָרthe matterתַּחַתunderכָּלall ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavenעבודהAvodahזרהZarahכ"ה25a:

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וָאֶשְׁלַחAnd I sentמַלְאָכִיםmessengersמִמִּדְבַּרfrom the wilderness ofקְדֵמוֹתKedemothאֶלtoסִיחוֹןSihonמֶלֶךְking ofחֶשְׁבּוֹןHeshbonדִּבְרֵיwords ofשָׁלוֹםpeaceלֵאמֹר׃saying

רַשִׁ״י

ממדברFrom the wilderness ofקדמות.Kedemothאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notצִוַּנִיcommanded meהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentלִקְרֹאto proclaimלְסִיחוֹןto Sihonלְשָׁלוֹם,for peaceלָמַדְתִּיI learntמִמִּדְבַּרfrom the wilderness ofסִינַיSinai–מִןfromהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahשֶׁקָּדְמָהwhich precededלָעוֹלָםthe world–כְּשֶׁבָּאwhen cameהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heלִתְּנָהּto give itלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto YisraelחָזַרHe went aroundאוֹתָהּwith itעַלtoעֵשָׂוEsavוְיִשְׁמָעֵאל,and Yishmaelוְגָלוּיand it was revealedלְפָנָיוbefore Himשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְקַבְּלוּהָthey would accept itוְאַעַ"פִּand evenכֵןsoפָּתַחHe openedלָהֶםto themבְּשָׁלוֹם,with peaceאַףevenאֲנִיIקִדַּמְתִּיapproachedאֶת—סִיחוֹןSihonבְּדִבְרֵיwith words ofשָׁלוֹם;peaceדָּ"אַ,Another explanationממדברFrom the wilderness ofקדמותKedemoth–מִמְּךָfrom Youלָמַדְתִּי,I learntשֶׁקָּדַמְתָּWho precededלָעוֹלָם,the worldיָכוֹלableהָיִיתָYou wereלִשְׁלֹחַto sendבָּרָקlightningאֶחָדoneוְלִשְֹרֹףand to burnאֶת—הַמִּצְרִים,the EgyptiansאֶלָּאbutשְׁלַחְתַּנִיYou sent meמִןfromהַמִּדְבָּרthe wildernessאֶלtoפַּרְעֹהPharaohלֵאמֹרsayingשמותShemosה'5:1"שַׁלַּחLet send outאֶת—עַמִּי",My peopleבְּמִתּוּןwith moderationתנחומאTanchuma:

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

אֶעְבְּרָהLet me passבְאַרְצֶךָthrough your landבַּדֶּרֶךְon the roadבַּדֶּרֶךְon the roadאֵלֵךְI will goלֹאnotאָסוּרwill I turnיָמִיןrightוּשְׂמֹאול׃or left

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

אֹכֶלFoodבַּכֶּסֶףfor moneyתַּשְׁבִּרֵנִיyou will sell meוְאָכַלְתִּיand I will eatוּמַיִםand waterבַּכֶּסֶףfor moneyתִּתֶּןyou will giveלִיto meוְשָׁתִיתִיand I will drinkרַקonlyאֶעְבְּרָהlet me passבְרַגְלָי׃on my feet

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

כַּאֲשֶׁרjust asעָשׂוּdidלִיfor meבְּנֵיthe children ofעֵשָׂוEsavהַיֹּשְׁבִיםwho dwellבְּשֵׂעִירin Seirוְהַמּוֹאָבִיםand the Moavitesהַיֹּשְׁבִיםwho dwellבְּעָרin ArעַדuntilאֲשֶׁרthatאֶעֱבֹרI crossאֶת—הַיַּרְדֵּןthe Yardenאֶלtoהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵינוּour Godנֹתֵןis givingלָנוּ׃to us

רַשִׁ״י

כאשרAsעשוdidליto meבניthe children ofעשו.Esauלֹאnotלְעִנְיַןregarding the matter ofלַעֲבֹרpassingבְּאַרְצָם,through their landאֶלָּאbutלְעִנְיַןregarding the matter ofמֶכֶרsellingאֹכֶלfoodוּמַיִם:and water

רַשִׁ״י

עדUntilאשרthatאעברI shall passאת—הירדן.the Jordanמוּסָבis connectedעַלtoאֶעְבְּרָהlet me passבְאַרְצֶךָ:through your land

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וְלֹאand notאָבָהconsentedסִיחֹןSichonמֶלֶךְking ofחֶשְׁבּוֹןCheshbonהַעֲבִרֵנוּto let us passבּוֹthrough himכִּיbecauseהִקְשָׁהstiffenedיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֶיךָyour Godאֶת—רוּחוֹhis spiritוְאִמֵּץand hardenedאֶת—לְבָבוֹhis heartלְמַעַןin orderתִּתּוֹto deliver himבְיָדְךָinto your handכַּיּוֹםas this dayהַזֶּה׃·

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details the specific instructions given to the Bnei Yisrael regarding their neighbors: they were forbidden from provoking Esau, Moab, or Ammon, and were commanded to purchase all food and water from them with money. After the generation of the midbar had finished passing away, Hashem commanded the nation to cross the wadi Arnon and engage Sihon, the king of Heshbon, in battle. Although Moshe Rabbeinu sent messengers with a peaceful request to pass through his land, Hashem hardened Sihon's heart, setting the stage for his defeat and the inheritance of his territory.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In this parshah, Hashem commands Klal Yisrael not to provoke Esav, Moav, or Ammon, nor to take a single footstep of their land. Why? Because Hashem already gave those lands to them as an inheritance. To make sure the Yidden do not feel needy or envious, Hashem reminds them of a beautiful truth: "The Eternal your God has blessed you in all your undertakings... you have lacked nothing." For forty years in the midbar, they had exactly what they needed, down to the last detail.

This contains a profound lesson for our daily avodah. The yetzer hara often tries to make us look at what others have, their livelihood, their success, their portion in life, and tempts us to encroach on it, even if only in our minds through jealousy or frustration. We think, "If only I had what they have, I would be complete." But the Torah is teaching us that what belongs to another is completely off-limits because Hashem decreed it belongs to them. More importantly, you do not need it. Hashem has already custom-tailored your life with every single tool, dollar, and blessing necessary for your specific neshama to fulfill its mission.

When you truly internalize that "you have lacked nothing", that your current portion is perfectly measured by the Creator, envy melts away. You no longer feel the need to push into someone else's territory or compare your life to theirs. You can walk through this world with a quiet, joyful confidence, focusing entirely on using the blessings right in front of you.

Today, when you feel a pinch of envy or find yourself comparing your situation to someone else's, stop and say to yourself: "Hashem has blessed me with exactly what I need for my avodah today; I lack absolutely nothing."