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Why did Moshe fear attacking Og, who only warned Avrohom about Lot's capture hoping Avrohom would die in battle? The Torah (תורה) operates on the principle that obligation flows from benefit received, regardless of the giver's motives. This yesod explains kibbud av v'eim and why our instinct to dismiss help given for selfish reasons actually isolates us from recognizing genuine care.
Rabbi Zweig presents a fundamental Torah (תורה) principle that challenges our natural psychological tendencies regarding gratitude and obligation. Using the story from Parshas Lech Lecha where Og informed Avrohom that Lot was captured, he addresses a seeming contradiction: Og had nefarious motives (hoping Avrohom would die in battle so he could marry Sarah), yet centuries later, Moshe Rabbeinu feared attacking Og because of his 'merit' from helping Avrohom. The rabbi argues that our instinctive belief is wrong - that we don't owe gratitude when someone helps us for selfish reasons. Instead, the Torah teaches that obligation depends solely on whether we received benefit, not on the giver's motives. This principle underlies the mitzvah (מצוה) of honoring parents: even though parents have children for selfish reasons (continuity, fulfillment, pride), children still received enormous benefits (life, care, education) and therefore owe gratitude.
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Parshas Lech Lecha - Og informing Avraham about Lot's capture
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