1)

What is the meaning of "Vayakatz Mo'av"?

1.

Rashi: It means that Mo'av became sick of their lives.

2)

What exactly did Balak see that caused him to be afraid?

1.

Rashi (on Pasuk 2): He saw how the two kings upon whom they had placed their trust were unable to stand up to Yisrael, and he figured that that being the case, they would certainly not be able to.

2.

Ramban: Because Yisrael was a far more numerous nation than Mo'av, 1 (a) since the latter was a relatively new nation, and (b) because he heard about the ongoing miracles that Hashem had performed with them and with their forefathers.

3.

Seforno: He saw how (a) when Sichon refused to let Yisrael pass through his land, they annihilated him, and (b) how their victory did not come about in a natural way. 2

4.

Da'as Zekenim (on Pasuk 2) and Hadar Zekenim (on Pasuk 2): Sichon defeated Melech Mo'av, and he could not stand up to Yisrael. All the more so I cannot!


1

As the Pasuk specifically states.

2

Seforno (on Pasuk 3): 'And the strong men of Mo'av were afraid' (See Beshalach, 15:15), because they too, refused Yisrael passage through their land, as Yiftach told the king of Amon, in Shoftim, 11:17.

3)

Seeing as Yisrael were not threatening to attack them, why was Mo'av afraid?

1.

Rashi: Refer to Devarim, 2:9:1:1 and note.

2.

Riva: They were afraid of Yisrael 1 would not to them - since Hashem said "Al Tatzer es Mo'av" (Devarim 2:9), but of what they would do to their surroundings. 2

3.

Seforno: He saw how when Sichon refused to let Yisrael pass through his land, they annihilated him, and they too, refused Yisrael passage through their land (Shoftim, 11:17).

4.

Perhaps they felt pain or awe due to the honor of miracles done for Yisrael, like they felt at the time of Keri'as Yam Suf (PF). Refer to Sh'mos 15:15:1:1 & 3


1

The nation is attributed to the king - Refer to 21:21:1:1 - Since he was afraid, the Torah writes that Mo'av fwas afraid, just like it says that Mo'av said to Ziknei Midyan, even though only Balak said it. (PF)

2

As Balak specifically stated "Yelach'chu ha'Kahal es Kol Sevivoseinu."

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

4)

Rashi writes (in Devarim 2:9) that Hashem forbade only fighting Mo'av; Yisrael appeared armed in front of them and took spoils, and therefore Mo'av feared them But Hashem forbade fighting them before the episode with Midyan. Really, Hashem forbade this after He said to take vengeance against Midyan, and Moshe thought that all the more so, to fight Mo'av (Bava Kama 38a)?

1.

Riva citing R"M of Kutzi: Really, Hashem forbade fighting Mo'av before Ma'ase Midyan. Moshe thought that now that Mo'av began the clash through hiring Bil'am, we may fight them; Hashem refuted this.

2.

Moshav Zekenim citing R. Tam: The Gemara means that Moshe would have made a Kal va'Chomer, had Hashem not already forbidden Yisrael to fight Mo'av. 1


1

Moshav Zekenim citing R. Elchanan: Bereishis Rabah (74) says that when Mo'avim told Yo'av that he may not fight them due to "Al Tatzer", he answered that the Isur was lifted after Balak hired Bil'am. This is unlike Bava Kama! Riva ha'Zaken

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