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Why did Israel ask permission to cross Edom when they had a right to conquer? The shiur develops a yesod distinguishing sovereignty from land ownership. The conquest of Ever HaYarden would transfer sovereignty to Israel while allowing existing inhabitants to retain property rights — explaining the seemingly contradictory offers to pay for water.
This shiur analyzes the diplomatic negotiations with Edom and Sichon regarding passage through their lands on the way to Eretz Yisrael, focusing on the deeper halachic principles of kibbush Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining the linguistic differences between the two requests - the first to Edom uses 'Vayishlach Moshe malachim' while the second to Sichon uses 'Vayishlach Yisrael malachim,' suggesting different types of sovereignty claims. The central question emerges: if Israel had a right to conquer these lands, why negotiate at all? And why offer to pay for water when claiming territorial rights? The shiur develops a fundamental distinction between sovereignty over land and ownership of land. When Israel requests passage, they are asserting sovereign rights while offering to respect existing property ownership - hence the promise to purchase water rather than simply taking it.
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Parshas Chukas - Israel's negotiations with Edom and Sichon
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