The Torah actually speaks to this feeling, promising us strength and protection, even against seemingly insurmountable odds. But where exactly are the boundaries of that promise? And who, or what, does it protect us from? to a fascinating passage from Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy. It starts by talking about the borders of Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. Now, the text itself then lists a bunch of place names, marking those boundaries… but honestly, these locations are so obscure today, they wouldn’t mean much to us. The important thing to remember is that the Torah is very specific about the land promised to the Jewish people.
But the passage quickly moves on to something much bigger, something much more relevant to our daily lives. It quotes Deuteronomy 11:25, "No man will stand up against you." A powerful statement. But what does it really mean?
The text asks a crucial question: Does this promise only apply to individual men? What about entire nations, families, or even… a woman wielding witchcraft? It sounds like a leap, but ancient sources took these concerns very seriously!
The answer, according to Sifrei Devarim, comes from another verse, Deuteronomy 7:24: "And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you shall cause their names to go lost from under the heavens. A man will not stand up against you until you have destroyed them."
So, the promise extends beyond just individual men. It encompasses entire kingdoms and their leaders. God’s protection is comprehensive. But then, why does it specifically say "No man"?
This is where it gets really interesting. The text answers: "Even one like Og the king of Bashan."
Who was Og? Og was a giant, a figure of immense strength and power, a king feared by all. According to tradition, he was one of the few survivors of the great flood! The Midrash even depicts him uprooting an entire mountain to throw at the Israelites (Numbers Rabbah 19:33). Now that’s an obstacle.
So, the Torah is saying that even someone as formidable as Og, someone seemingly invincible, will not be able to stand against you. The promise of "No man will stand up against you" is a reminder that even when faced with the biggest, scariest challenges, we are not alone.
It's not just about physical strength or military might. It's about any obstacle, any force that seeks to undermine our faith, our community, or our connection to the Divine. We all face "Og-like" figures in our lives. They might not be actual giants, but they represent those overwhelming challenges, those seemingly impossible situations that make us feel small and powerless. It could be a personal struggle, a professional setback, or even a societal injustice.
The message here isn't that we'll never face adversity. It's that we have the strength within us, and the divine support, to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. The promise isn't the absence of challenges, but the assurance of resilience. What "giant" are you facing today, and how can this ancient teaching give you strength to face it?