D'Var Torah - Parshas Devarim By Rabbi Baruch Lederman
When the Jews were facing their enemies in the wilderness, G-d told
Moshe, "Do not be afraid of Og." Og was a powerful adversary but why did
he necessitate a special assurance from G-d? 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. G-d 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 (act of kindness)? 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 (kindness) that is
motivated purely by love.
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