Why Esau’s Descendants Lost Their Claim to the Land of Israel | The Forgotten Torah Story

Shalom Aleichem Chevra, so glad you're here! Why did Esau's descendants lose all claim to the Land of Israel — and what does a copper snake on a pole have to do with healing? In this shiur we dig into a packed parasha as the Jewish people make their way toward Eretz Yisrael. We open with the encounter with the king of Edom, and Rav Moshe Chaim takes us all the way back to Bereishit to explain why Esau lost his share in the destiny of the Jewish people. Esav chose Har Seir, he chose the world of strength and power on his own terms, and because he never went through the exile in Egypt and the journey out, he has no claim to the land. That original split between Yaakov and Esav, voice versus strength, Torah versus muscle, is the whole story playing out right here in the desert. We then get into the death of Aharon and what it meant for the Jewish people on the ground. Three miracles sustained the nation in the desert: the Well of Miriam, the Manna in Moshe's merit, and the Clouds of Glory in Aharon's merit. The moment Aharon passes, the Clouds of Glory disappear, and Amalek sees the opening. We learn how Amalek operates, always watching for rifyon, for weakness, especially a weaken