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Deuteronomy 2:18 - Entering Moab's border today?

Deuteronomy 2:18 - דברים 2:18

Hebrew Text

אַתָּה עֹבֵר הַיּוֹם אֶת־גְּבוּל מוֹאָב אֶת־עָר׃

English Translation

Thou art to pass over through ῾Ar, the border of Mo᾽av, this day:

Transliteration

Ata over hayom et-gvul Moav et-Ar.

Hebrew Leining Text

אַתָּ֨ה עֹבֵ֥ר הַיּ֛וֹם אֶת־גְּב֥וּל מוֹאָ֖ב אֶת־עָֽר׃
אַתָּ֨ה עֹבֵ֥ר הַיּ֛וֹם אֶת־גְּב֥וּל מוֹאָ֖ב אֶת־עָֽר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 2:18

The verse appears in Moshe's recounting of Bnei Yisrael's journey through the wilderness, specifically as they approach the territory of Moav. This marks a transitional moment in their travels, as they prepare to enter Eretz Yisrael.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Devarim 2:18) explains that "היום" ("this day") emphasizes the immediacy of the command—Bnei Yisrael were to cross the border of Moav on that very day. This reflects Hashem's precise timing in guiding their journey. Rashi also notes that "Ar" refers to a prominent Moabite city, indicating a specific geographic marker in their travels.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra highlights that this verse underscores the distinction between Moav and other nations. Unlike Amon, whom Hashem forbade them from conquering (Devarim 2:19), Moav's territory was to be traversed but not seized—a nuanced boundary set by Divine decree.

Midrashic Interpretation

  • Sifrei Devarim: Suggests that "היום" teaches that Bnei Yisrael were to proceed without delay, reinforcing the importance of acting promptly upon Hashem's directives.
  • Midrash Tanchuma: Connects this moment to the broader theme of Divine providence, noting that every step of their journey was meticulously guided, even when the path seemed uncertain.

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) derives from this and related verses that certain lands, like Moav, were prohibited for conquest even though they were not part of the seven Canaanite nations. This reflects the nuanced halachic boundaries established by the Torah regarding warfare and territory.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 2:18 mean when it says 'Thou art to pass over through Ar, the border of Moav'?
A: This verse refers to the Israelites' journey toward the Promised Land. Rashi explains that 'Ar' was a major city on Moav's border, and Hashem was instructing the Jewish people to pass by this territory without engaging in conflict with Moav, as they were descendants of Lot and had land rights given to them (see Rashi on Deuteronomy 2:9).
Q: Why was it important for the Israelites to pass through Moav's border?
A: The Torah emphasizes this moment because it marked a transition in the Israelites' wilderness journey. Ramban notes that this was part of Hashem's plan to bring them closer to Eretz Yisrael while respecting the territorial boundaries of neighboring nations that He had established (see Ramban on Deuteronomy 2:9-19).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 2:18 today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of respecting boundaries - both physical and spiritual. Just as the Israelites were commanded to honor Moav's borders, we learn from Chazal (our Sages) the value of recognizing proper limits in our relationships, business dealings, and personal conduct (based on Talmudic principles of 'dina d'malchuta dina' - the law of the land is binding).