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Beit Midrash
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The Tanchuma (Chukat 25) raises three possibilities as to the reason Moshe was afraid of Og: 1. Moshe was concerned that they might have acted improperly in the previous battle, against Sichon, whether in being too harsh, or perhaps in involvement in some other type of sin in the process. 2. Og was the most fearsome of the giants who lived, a remnant of the great warriors who survived from the era of the War of the Four and Five Kings (see Devarim 3:11 and Bereishit 14). 3. Moshe reasoned that if Moshe was "only" 120 and Og lived to be more than 500 years old, he must have some great virtue that protected him.
According to the first opinion, the concern was about the degree of merit of Bnei Yisrael. According to the second, it was the physical prowess of Og. According to the third, the matter was the merit of Og, as expressed through his longevity. Rashi took the third approach and identified Og’s merit as having helped Avraham by telling him that Lot had been captured by the four kings. The lesson from this is that one can never know how great the merit of a single action can be, and how it could have impact even after many years. The Ramban took the first approach, which teaches us that one can never fully rely on oneself and should continue to daven for Divine Assistance. The Rosh accepts the second approach, which teaches us that even one who is used to having miracles done for him should consider the natural prospects even if he is one who has bitachon (reliance on Hashem). This is part of one’s need to put in efforts to succeed, and it is even more clear regarding one who is not used to having miracles done for him.
We would like to add the following idea, which we will continue to develop next week. Anakim (giants) are mentioned several times throughout Tanach. We find seven names to describe this unique group of people: eimim, refa’im, gibborim, zamzumim, anakim, avim, and nefilim (Bereishit Rabba 26:7). This is a sign that they had great significance at that time. We also find that an important demarcation in Yerushalayim in ancient days, Emek Refa’im, was named for them. This valley, mentioned several times in Tanach, was, at one point in its span, a border between the tribes of Yehuda and Binyamin (Yehoshua 15:8). It is also connected to Nachal Sorek, which means that it connected the Land of the Plishtim to Yerushalayim. Therefore, the wars against the anakim held a central part in the process of acquiring Eretz Yisrael for Am Yisrael, as we will develop next week.
Let us pray that we too will overcome our enemies. Let us think about those of us (including graduates of ours) who live in the area around Aza, which overlaps with the ancient Land of Plishtim. May they have days of quiet and tranquility, so that they can serve Hashem with happiness and a pure heart.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.