It's not just about the win itself, but about the obstacles overcome.
Take the story of Og, King of Bashan. We find him mentioned in the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy). Now, Og wasn't just any king; he was a giant, a remnant of the Rephaim, a race of giants whose very name inspires awe. The Sifrei Devarim, an early rabbinic commentary on Deuteronomy, points out something crucial about the verse "and Og the king of Bashan, who dwelt in Ashteroth." It wasn’t just Og himself that made him formidable, but also the place he inhabited, Ashteroth.
The commentary explains: Even if Og wasn't so intimidating, living in Ashteroth would have made defeating him a challenge, because the land itself was formidable. And even if the land wasn't so difficult, Og's fearsome reputation as king would have been enough. But the reality? Both the king and the land were incredibly intimidating! Ashteroth, we're told, was "hard as horns" – karnayim – and its full name was actually Ashteroth Karnayim. And Edrei was the very site of the war! : A giant king, in a fortified city, known for its strength. Talk about an uphill battle.
This reminds us that sometimes, the challenge isn't just one thing, but a combination of factors that amplify the difficulty. Overcoming such odds makes the victory all the more meaningful.
Now, let’s shift our focus slightly. The book of Devarim opens with Moses beginning to explain the Torah "Across the Jordan, in the land of Moav." But the Hebrew word used for "began" here is ho'il. What does ho'il really mean?
The verse says, "Across the Jordan, in the land of Moav, Moses ho'il (began) to explain." The Sifrei Devarim delves into the meaning of ho'il. On one hand, ho'alah means "beginning," just like in the Book of Judges where it says, "Begin (hoel) now and stay overnight so that you will be refreshed," or in Chronicles, "and now you have begun (hoalta) to bless the house of your servant." So in this sense, Moses is beginning to explain the Torah.
But the sages offer another, equally valid interpretation: that ho'alah also means "swearing," like in Exodus, "And Moses swore (vayoel) to remain with the man," or in Samuel, "And Saul beswore (vayoel) the people." In this understanding, Moses isn't just starting to explain, but is making a solemn declaration, almost like he's swearing an oath as he begins to teach the Torah.
Isn't that fascinating? The very first word describing Moses's teaching is layered with meaning, hinting at both a fresh start and a deep commitment.
Perhaps, then, every new beginning requires not just action, but a sense of solemn dedication. A recognition of the weight and importance of what we are undertaking. Just like facing Og in his formidable city, or like Moses beginning to teach the Torah, we too must approach our challenges with both courage and commitment, understanding that the greatest victories often come from overcoming the most daunting obstacles.