A s the Jewish People were on the cusp of entering the Land it wasn’t the Canaanite enemies that Moshe Rabbeinu feared — Hashem had promised they would be vanquished — but the moral fortitude of a nation on the verge of victory and accomplishment: Would their egos inflate together with their success?
As parshas Eikev opens the Jewish People are still standing on the East Bank of the Jordan listening to Moshe Rabbeinu’s parting speech. In a short while a new leader will be taking them across the river. They will take Canaan by storm and settle in the Land. And as they prepare for this historic campaign Moshe warns them about what awaits them at their destination. His fears are very very substantial.
It is not the Canaanite enemy — brave and mighty — dwelling in the Land that casts fear into his heart. In fact he boosts the courage of Bnei Yisrael for the coming battle infusing them with confidence and assuring them of victory and chasing all doubt from their hearts:
“If you should say in your heart these nations outnumber me how will I be able to inherit them? Do not be afraid of them… Hashem will deliver them to you and drive them out before you and confound them with great confusion until they are destroyed.” (Devarim 7:17–23)
