9. Sihon was the desert colt and Moab's security depended on him. "For Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites" (Bemidbar 21:13), MEANING THAT HE WAS HIS NEIGHBOR AND GUARDED HIS BORDER. Come and see: When Yisrael destroyed the city of Sihon, the proclamation went forth in the Heavenly Kingdom, MEANING AMONG THE SEVENTY CHIEFTAINS OF THE SEVENTY NATIONS: Gather together, you mighty who rule over other nations, and see how the Emorite kingdom is destroyed.

11. When they saw Moses' might and the flame of his kingdom, they said, "For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon" (Ibid. 28). HE ASKS: If it already says "from Heshbon," why the additional "from the city of Sihon?" Isn't the city of Sihon Heshbon, as it says, "For Heshbon was a city of Sihon the king of the Amorites" (Ibid. 26).

12. HE REPLIES: It is only that a flame from the King of Heaven went and destroyed everything. When they said, "Let the city of Sihon be built and established" simply, and did not specify Heshbon, it is because they figured that it would be rebuilt for the Amorites' dwelling place. Then they replied and said, 'We cannot.' What is the reason? It is because all the roads and paths were sealed by the might of their higher authority. If we say and mention again that Heshbon should be built, did not "a fire gone out of Heshbon?" And if we say again 'the city of Sihon,' surely a flame started out from the city of Sihon. Since that flame of fire still prevails there, there is nobody who can return it to its prior state, because we have no permission from any side.

14. "Because they were many (Heb. rav)" (Ibid.). At earlier times, ESAU was great (Heb. rav) and great is small, as it is written: "Behold, I will make you small among the nations" (Ovadyah 1:2). Yisrael became great instead of Esau, as it is written about him: "And the elder (Heb. rav)," MEANING: "AND THE ELDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER" (BERESHEET 25:23). What is the reason THEY CONSIDERED YISRAEL AS GREAT? It is because they saw that Yisrael were dominant above and below, as it is written: "All that Yisrael had done to the Amorites" (Bemidbar 22:2). It should have said, 'That which Yisrael had done.' What is "all that (Heb. et)?" It is to also include above and below, that they toppled THEIR chiefs and rulers above from their domination and also knocked down the chiefs and rulers below, IN THIS WORLD. Therefore, IT IS WRITTEN: "All that (Heb. et) Yisrael had done." That is why THEY SAID, "Because they were many (Heb. rav)" instead of 'the rav,' which would have meant the holy firstborn IN PLACE OF ESAU'S BIRTHRIGHT, as it is written: "Yisrael is My son, My firstborn" (Shemot 4:22).

244. Another explanation of: "Besides the shepherds' (Heb. roim) tents:" the Vav is missing IN THE WORD ROIM AND IT IS AS IF IT SAYS RAIM (LIT. 'EVIL ONES'). THIS INDICATES THAT they are evil, meaning the Amorite kings, from whom Yisrael have taken the land to give pasture to their herds. And Yisrael have turned that land to pasture land. Then Balak heard that the land that was so important, Yisrael made battle over it, and so demolished it as to make it into pasture. He then strove in whatever means was at his disposal and joined Bilaam with him.