וַיָּגָר מוֹאָב וַיָּקָץ מוֹאָב - Angst and Aversion - פרשת בלק

This shiur focuses on the phrases, "And Moab was afraid of the people," and "and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel." These diverse interpretations from various commentators and midrashic texts explore the nuances of "was afraid" and "was distressed," with some attributing Moab's fear to Israel's vast numbers, while others suggest it stemmed from Israel's powerful victories over other nations. We examine the motivations behind Moab's distress, debating whether it stemmed from physical threat, spiritual animosity, or a perceived curse, ultimately offering a rich tapestry of exegesis on a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative.