*************Jax’s Tuesday D’Var Torah – Parshas Devarim*************
When the Yiddin were facing their enemies in the wilderness, Hashem told Moshe, “Do not be afraid of Og.” Og was a powerful adversary but why did he necessitate a special assurance from Hashem? Sichon was also a powerful enemy but no such assurances were given regarding Sichon. What was special about Og? Rashi explains that Moshe was aware that Og had a special merit due to a good deed that he had once done. Hashem does not allow a good deed to go unrewarded. What was Og’s good deed? Years earlier, when Avraham was searching for his nephew Lot, who had been captured during a dangerous time of war, Og came and informed Avraham where Lot could be found. Avraham was then able to rescue Lot. Why did Og perform this chesed? Our sages tell us that he was hoping that Avraham would be killed in his quest to save Lot. This way, Og could take Avraham’s wife Sarah for himself. Why then was Og rewarded? Because despite Og’s evil intentions, his action was still an act of kindness-maaseh chesed.
Let us analyze. Og’s actions were motivated purely by selfish evil and lust. Yet he was rewarded with exceptionally long life; in fact, his reward was so great, that even Moshe Rabbenu was afraid that Og’s merit would protect him from the Jewish army. Imagine then, how much more is our reward when we, the Jewish people, do chesed that is motivated purely by love.
Have a good one!