Parshas Devarim* – Food, Water, and Dignity

Parshas Devarim* – Food, Water, and Dignity

Dedicated to a refuah shelaima for Chaya Sarah bas Esther Leah, Chaya Sofya Sara bas Mera, Tova bas Perel, Binyamin ben Simcha, and Betzalel Tzvi ben Chaya Yocheved.

This week’s Dvar Torah is going to start with a question that might sound a little foolish. What did Bnei Yisrael eat and drink in the Midbar? If you answered manna and water from the ba’eir Miriam (Miriam’s well), then you are probably wondering why such a simple question is being asked…

If Bnei Yisrael ate manna in the wilderness and had a constant source of water, then why does Moshe discuss – not once, but twice – offering to pay for food and water? This occurs twice in Perek Beis of Devarim, and this fact is, truly, food for thought. (Ok, I couldn’t resist).

Perek Beis begins with Hashem telling Moshe that the people have circled Har Seir long enough, and it is time to move forward. In doing so, they will be passing through the land of Bnei Esav. “You shall not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land not so much as a footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for an inheritance. You shall buy food from them with money, that you may eat, and also water you shall buy from them with money, that you may drink” (Devarim 2:5-6).

The Perek then continues to describe the movements of the Israelites, including the fact that there were 38 years between Kadesh Barnea the water of Zered. It mentions interactions with Moav and Ammon, cousins who were not to be disturbed, until Bnei Yisrael comes to the land of the Amorites, where Sichon is king. Upon reaching the border of the Amorites, Hashem told Moshe that He has put the dread and fear of the Israelites into these people, but Moshe proceeds with diplomacy. He sends messengers and says “Let me pass through your country. I will keep strictly to the highway, turning off neither to the right nor to the left. What food I eat you will supply for money, and what water I drink you will furnish for money; just let me pass through” (Devarim 2:27-28).

The simple question is why did Bnei Yisrael need to buy food and water if they had manna and a continuous water source? The deeper question is what can we learn from the fact that Bnei Yisrael offered to buy food and water when it was not needed. 

This is, of course, pure postulation. Perhaps from Perek Beis of Devarim, we can learn about acting humbly and respectfully before other nations. The Jewish people are known as the Chosen nation. Hashem promised Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov that their descendants would be blessed. This does not mean that we have the right to be lofty over other nations, but rather that we have responsibilities as the mamleches kohanim, the kingdom of priests. 

In the verse that follows the recollection of being told to offer to buy food and water from Bnei Esav, Moshe states, “For the Lord, your God, has blessed you in all the work of your hand…” Bnei Yisrael was blessed in the wilderness with Divine care-taking. They were given food and water, but within the territory of another nation was not the time to exult. This was a lesson Moshe heeded when they then came to Sichon’s kingdom. Moshe knew already, for Hashem had told him, that this nation would be afraid of Bnei Yisrael, and that this is where the conquest would begin. Moshe, however, did not approach them in a bellicose manner, but rather with a fair and equitable offer. The Amorites refused and attacked and were defeated, but the significance is the fact that Bnei Yisrael behaved in a morally upstanding manner. 

The national implications can, and should, be reflected on an individual level. Just because one can, doesn’t mean one should. Having natural talents or specific skill-sets is valuable, of course. More important, however, is knowing how to treat others with respect and dignity. 

*Personal Parsha Prose began as a personal project I named Eilu Devarim in 2018 after leaving my job of 19 years. I wrote my first Parsha Essay on Parshas Devarim 2018. While some parshios were skipped some years, every parsha has at least 4 unique pieces. All Personal Parsha Prose, along with other writing, can be found on http://cthedawn.blogspot.com/

May you all have a beautiful and inspiring Shabbas.