06 Aug PARASHAT DEBARIM: BELIEVING THAT OUR “LIMP” WILL HEAL

In Parashat Debarim,
Moshe recounts several
of Beneh Yisrael’s
experiences as they
traveled through the
desert, including the time when they prepared
to journey along the border of Edom, the
nation that descended from Esav, the brother
of Yaakob Abinu. G-d commanded Beneh
Yisrael not to initiate hostilities against
Edom, because they were not entitled to
Edom’s territory “Ad Midrach Kaf Ragel” –
literally, “even walking with your feet” (2:5).
Meaning, Beneh Yisrael were not allowed
even to peacefully pass through Edom’s
territory without the kingdom’s permission.
Rashi brings an additional interpretation of
this verse from the Midrash, which explains
that one day, we will, in fact, take possession
of the land of Edom. The phrase “Ad
Midrach Kaf Ragel,” the Midrash writes,
means that Beneh Yisrael may not take over
Edom until the time when G-d will “step
with His feet,” as it were. This refers to a
prophecy of Zecharya (14:4) foreseeing the
final redemption, when Hashem will “stand”
upon Har Ha’zetim (the Mount of Olives) in
Jerusalem, and take revenge from the enemy
nations that oppressed the Jewish People.
At that time, we will be entitled to take the

land of Edom, the nation which destroyed the
Second Temple and has committed numerous
atrocities against Am Yisrael.
Additionally, this verse hearkens back to
an earlier event – Yaakob Abinu’s wrestle
with the Satan, the angel representing Esav.
As we read in Parashat Vayishlah (Bereshit
32:24-29), a mysterious attacker began
fighting with Yaakob as he made his way
back to Eretz Yisrael from Haran, and the
Rabbis explain that this was the Satan. They
wrestled throughout the night, and the Satan,
unable to kill Yaakob, struck him in the
thigh, dislodging the “Gid Ha’nasheh”, thus
causing Yaakob to limp. In commemoration
of this event, we refrain from eating this part
of animals. The Hatam Sofer (Rav Moshe
Sofer, Pressburg, 1762-1839) commented
that the “Gid Ha’nasheh” is one of the body’s
365 “Gidim” (sinews), which correspond
to the 365 days of the year, and to the 365
Biblical prohibitions. Yaakob’s confrontation
with the angel, the Hatam Sofer shows,
occurred on Tisha B’Ab, such that the “Gid
Ha’nasheh” – and the Biblical prohibition
against partaking of this part of an animal –
are associated with this day, the day when we
commemorate our struggles against enemy
nations. Just as the Satan dealt a serious blow
to Yaakob, making him limp, our foes have

succeeded in dealing
many devastating
blows, inflicting a
great deal of pain
and causing a great
deal of anguish,
which we mourn each
year on Tisha B’Ab.
However, just as
the Satan ultimately
failed in its attempt
to kill Yaakob, and,
moreover, Yaakob
was eventually healed
from his injury, our
enemies likewise
are incapable of
eliminating us – and
one day, our “limp” will be healed. G-d
will exact retribution from the nations
that oppressed us, and all our pain will be
permanently healed.
This is the meaning of the verse which forbids
waging war against Edom “Ad Midrach Kaf
Ragel.” There will come a time when our
nation will be healed, when we will again
“walk with our feet” steadily and confidently,
without a limp. And at that time, the kingdom
of Edom will meet its downfall and be
punished for the unspeakable tragedies it has

brought upon the Jewish People.
On Tisha B’Ab, we mourn for all the pain
that “Edom” has inflicted upon our nation,
for all our “limping,” all the suffering we
have endured at the hands of Esav. But at
the same time, as we reflect upon Yaakob’s
wrestle with the angel which occurred on this
day, we are reassured that we will one day
be fully healed, with the arrival of Mashiah,
who will come and cure our ailments, and
bring us all to the rebuilt Bet Ha’mikdash,
speedily and in our days, Amen.