Dvarim: Encouragement

In Dvarim. Moshe tells his version of  the events.  These are the words that Moshe said.    Geography dominates the context.  The tale is all about the approach to the Promised land and the (incidental)  conquest of  the neighboring lands of Sichon and Og. 

The drama of  the Exodus from Egypt is not mentioned.  The story begins  at Horeb ( Sinai?),in a tone of impatience. Gd told Moshe that the Israelites had stayed long enough  at that mountain.  It was time to take the 11 day journey to border of  the Promised Land. 

 How much will Gd do for the people and how much must they do for themselves?  It is reasonable to send scouts into the land to discover the paths and the obstacles. Success is far more likely if the army is prepared.  There will always be unknowns and victory will depend upon many unpredictables, but good  data can be very helpful.  To march forward on faith would be like  artificial intelligence, relying on the  previously established correlation.  Up until now, when Israel was faced with overwhelming odds against them, they emerged victorious.  But Moshe does not even mention the plagues and the splitting of the sea.  

Sending scouts morphed into humans taking the lead with  Gd  in the background.  The people could not realistically prevail over nations of giants, ensconced in their own territories, in a toxic land. Their model predicted defeat.  They would not rely on the data derived from their past experiences.  Gd would not abide this error. 

Thirty eight years later, Moshe looks around.  The descendants of Esau have taken Seir from giants, the descendants of  Lot have displaced supermen.  The Israelites can do likewise.  The first Rashi in Bereshith  is brought to mind. The earth belongs to Gd, its creator.  Gd places nations, regardless of  prior habitation. This is a very uncomfortable idea for a modern American ( after the Indian wars, the Spanish American War, the Conquistadors,  Napolean, ...).  Sometimes, I just  need to deal with my discomfort. 

Moshe encourages  the people.  He gives them courage, he stirs them to hope, an insubstantial that can vanquish great enemies. 

I use the lesson in my medical practice.  I see patients who have poor chances of survival. It would be arrogant to claim knowledge sufficient to say that the situation is hopeless.  My mother, a survivor despite terrible odds, used to say: " Where there is life there is hope."  The odds are never so poor that there is no room for hope.  But if there is no hope ...