Komentarz do Liczb 21:34

אל תירא אתו FEAR HIM NOT — God said this concerning Og but not about Sihon (cf v. 23), because Moses feared to wage battle, perhaps the merit of Abraham with whom Og had been associated would stand up (i.e., be an advocate) for him, as it is said, (Genesis 14:13) “And the one who escaped came [and told it to Abraham]” — this was Og who had escaped from the Rephaim whom Chedoladmar and his allies had smitten in Ashoreth Karnaim (Genesis 14:5), as it is said, (Deuteronomy 3:11). "For only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim" (cf. Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 25, Niddah 61a).

FEAR HIM [Og] NOT. “For Moses was afraid [to wage war against Og] in case the merit of Abraham [whom Og had helped] would stand him in stead, for it is said about him, And there came ‘hapalit’ (one that had escaped) and told Abram the Hebrew,³¹⁰Genesis 14:13. this being Og who had escaped from the Rephaim whom Amraphel³¹¹In our Rashi: “Chedarlaomer.” and his allies had defeated at Ashteroth-karnaim.”³¹²Genesis 14:5. This is Rashi’s language, based on the words of our Rabbis.³¹³Tanchuma, Chukath 25; Bamidbar Rabbah 19:19. Here too³¹⁴See Ramban above at the end of Verse 1, where he mentions a similar idea. Hence he writes now: “here too.” the Rabbis were induced to make this comment because they knew that Moses our teacher would not have been afraid of an arm of flesh, for with him was the Eternal our G-d,³¹⁵See II Chronicles 32:8. and all the nations are as nothing before Him; they are accounted by Him as things of nought, and vanity.³¹⁶Isaiah 40:17. [Furthermore], it was he [Moses himself] who admonished Israel: fear not, nor be dismayed on account of them,³¹⁷Deuteronomy 31:6. and who criticized them for being afraid of them, as it is said in connection with the [affair of the] spies, Then I said unto you: ‘Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The Eternal your G-d, Who goeth before you, He shall fight for you.’³¹⁸Ibid., 1:29-30. Therefore [we must say] that Moses was afraid [of Og] because he knew of his merit [in having helped Abraham].
In accordance with the plain meaning of Scripture, Moses had not intended now to give Israel the land of Sihon and Og as an inheritance, as I have explained.³¹⁹Above, Verse 21. But Sihon had gone out against Israel into the wilderness,³²⁰Ibid., Verse 23. and had fought them against their will [in spite of their desire for peace]. Then G-d informed [Moses], Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before thee; begin to possess his land,³²¹Deuteronomy 2:31. for here began the conquest of the seven nations [who inhabited the Land of Israel]. But Og [nonetheless] mobilized all his forces at Edrei,³²²Further, Verse 33. which was a city at the end of his border, and Israel could have turned away from him just as they had turned away from Esau [i.e., Edom].³²³Above, 20:21. Therefore G-d told Moses, “Fear him not; go to him and contend with him in battle, for I have delivered him into thy hand.” And in Bamidbar Sinai Rabbah I have seen [the following text]³²⁴Bamidbar Rabbah, 19:19. “Why was Moses afraid [of Og]? He said: Perhaps Israel committed a trespass in the war against Sihon, [by taking of the spoil for themselves], or maybe they have become defiled by sins.” This is a completely homiletic exposition. And indeed all righteous people have this fear [that they might have sinned in error],³²⁵See Vol. I, p. 195. and this [fear] likewise occurred [in the case] of Joshua [about whom it says that G-d told him, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed].³²⁶Joshua 8:1.
Balak