No Fear: Og Versus Sichon

“Do not fear him,” Moshe Rabbeinu recounts Hashem telling him before he faced Og Melech HaBashan in war (Devarim 3:2). Clearly Moshe Rabbeinu feared Og, for why else would Hashem have to say to him not to be afraid? However, when we faced Sichon, Hashem did not instruct Moshe Rabbeinu not to fear. So why did Moshe Rabbeinu fear Og more than Sichon?

Peshat Approach: Abarbanel

On a peshat level, Abarbanel answers that Og was “charutz ve’zadon—brave and daring.” Unlike Sichon, Og did not wait to be attacked. Despite our overwhelming victory over Sichon, Og was not intimidated. As Devarim 3:1 records, Og attacked us first. Og’s large size—described in detail in 3:11—was another reason to be frightened. In addition, Og’s numerous cities—including many surrounded by a wall and heavily fortified (3:5)—gave us much reason to be apprehensive.

Derash Approach

Rashi quotes Midrash Tanchuma’s explanation that Moshe Rabbeinu feared that Hashem would value Og’s zechut for helping Avraham Avinu when he fought the four Mesopotamian kings (Bereishit, perek 14). Bereishit 14:13 records, “Vayavo hapalit … —a refugee from the war,” came to Avraham Avinu to inform him that the four kings’ army captured his nephew, Lot. Rashi cites Chazal saying that this refugee was none other than Og.

Question on the Midrash and Three Possible Answers

The Chizkuni (to Bamidbar 21:34) wonders why Moshe Rabbeinu thinks Og has merit for helping Avraham Avinu—Rashi quotes the midrash that Og intended for Avraham to die in the war so that Og could marry Sarah Imeinu!

1. The Chizkuni answers that we see the power of a mitzvah, even if performed for terrible reasons. He notes the Gemara (Horayot 10b) telling us that Balak had the zechut of Rut being one of his descendants in the merit of his offering 42 korbanot. Balak accumulated this merit—despite his intention in offering these sacrifices to appease Hashem and effectuate Bilaam’s curses!
2. Kli Yakar (to Bamidbar 21:34) answers that Moshe Rabbeinu did not know Og’s evil kavana. Thus, Hashem reassures Moshe Rabbeinu that there is no need to fear such merit. Moshe Rabbeinu only feared because he did not grasp the big picture.
3. I suggest that Moshe Rabbeinu’s fears were, indeed, unfounded and unreasonable; he had nothing to fear. However, human nature sometimes makes us worry when it is unnecessary to be scared. Moshe Rabbeinu suffered from needless anxiety, which Hashem helped him overcome. Often, we are crippled by unfounded worries. Our task, then, is to rely on Hashem to overcome these anxieties, with His help—as well as encouragement from positive spiritual peers and role models.

Conclusion: Rest Assured

However one understands Moshe Rabbeinu’s fears, the most important point is that he conquered them. Moshe Rabbeinu relied on Hashem’s reassurance to lead the Jewish people to yet another overwhelming victory—this time over the mighty Og Melech HaBashan. Moshe Rabbeinu reassures us that it is normal to be afraid. When the Jewish people heard Moshe Rabbeinu deliver this speech, we were weeks away from entering Eretz Yisrael to conquer the seven nations of Canaan. Moshe Rabbeinu shares that he himself was afraid and relied on Hashem to overcome his anxiety. He tells us (and our soon-to-be new leader, Yehoshua) not to fear the seven nations, for Hashem will help us (Devarim 3:22). We can, should and must do the same when confronting daunting situations. With Hashem’s help, we can overcome our fears—many of which are entirely baseless.

Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.