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Why did Og's nefarious deed—informing Avrohom about Lot's capture solely to get Avrohom killed—create such merit that Moshe feared it centuries later? The shiur establishes that gratitude is owed for benefits received, not motives behind them. Even parents who raise children for selfish reasons deserve honor; denying obligations by dismissing motives only harms the recipient, who loses the feeling of being cared for.
The shiur opens with the narrative from Parshas Lech Lecha: when the four kings captured Sedom and took Lot captive, a refugee (polit) informed Avrohom, who immediately armed his servants and pursued the captors. Rashi (רש"י) identifies this refugee as Og, who survived the flood. Critically, Rashi explains that Og's motive was entirely nefarious—he hoped Avrohom would be killed in battle so he could marry Sarah. Centuries later, in Parshas Chukas, when the Jewish people prepared to conquer Og's kingdom in Transjordan, Hashem (ה׳) told Moshe "Al tira oso"—do not fear him. Rashi explains that Moshe was afraid specifically because of Og's great merit from informing Avrohom. This creates a profound difficulty: how could such a self-serving, even evil act create merit powerful enough to potentially prevent the Jewish people from conquering land that was rightfully theirs?
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Lech Lecha 14:13-16, Chukas 21:34
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