Past Perspectives

“Because Cheshbon was the city of Sichon, king of Amori, who fought against the king of Moav, taking his land… Therefore, hamoshlim, those who speak in parables, say, ‘Come to Cheshbon….’ ” (Bamidbar 21:26–27)

The word “hamoshlim” comes from the root mashal, a poet who speaks in parables. Yet Chazal comment (Bava Basra 78b) that this word also has the root “moshel,” and refers to those who rule over their yetzer hara.

Using this second meaning, the pasuk’s words, “Come to Cheshbon,” can mean: Let’s consider our cheshbonos, our accounts in This World, i.e., the losses and gains of our mitzvos or our transgressions. 

Yet we’re still left with a question: The second pasuk begins with, “Al ken, therefore,” obviously transitioning the first pasuk to the second. But what is the connection? (Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl).

When you get to a certain age, seeing a doctor can mean you need to share everything that ever occurred to your family since Maaseh Bereishis.

Showing up at a new office, I filled in a form that asked for so many details, it should’ve granted me citizenship in at least three countries.

The doctor himself was a crusty old Israeli who’d like to think he knows English. Glancing at my form he said, “So. You father Yekkeh, you mother Israeli. This is what we call intermarriage, yeah? Heh, heh.”

Actually, my mother was born in Palestine, before the Medinah was established, but that’s neither here nor there. Nor did I think it mattered if my great-grandmother ever had an ingrown toenail. But I laughed politely with the doctor and hoped he’d get to the point of our visit, fast.