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Why did Og merit to live 400 extra years after informing Avrohom about Lot's capture? The shiur develops that Og's true merit wasn't just giving information, but validating Avrohom's entire mission by wanting to marry Sarah and continue the Jewish destiny himself. This recognition of Avrohom's truth, even while opposing him personally, earned Og the merit to witness Klal Yisrael's ultimate success.
This shiur explores the enigmatic merit of Og, King of Bashan, examining why he was rewarded with 400 additional years of life for informing Avrohom about Lot's capture. The discussion begins with Rashi (רש"י)'s comment on the pasuk where Hashem (ה׳) tells Moshe not to fear Og, noting that Moshe was afraid specifically because of Og's zchus. The shiur weaves together multiple sources to understand Og's true motivation. The Targum Yerushalmi reveals that Og told Avrohom he and Sarah were incapable of having children, positioning himself as a better candidate to marry Sarah. The Medrash explains that Og's name comes from the matzos being baked when he arrived, which seems unrelated until properly understood.
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Parshas Devarim 3:2
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Why didn't Noach daven for his generation while Avrohom advocated for Sedom? Noach viewed each person as an independent island responsible only for their own teshuvah. Avrohom understood that all humanity is interconnected through shared perspective and values, making prayer for others both possible and necessary.
