8. NOW HE EXPLAINS THE VERSE: "Hashem said" is in the future to come. The Holy One, blessed be He, will arise and bring back from Bashan all those whom the wild beasts killed and devoured, SINCE "MI (ENG. 'FROM') BASHAN" IS SPELLED WITH THE SAME LETTERS OF MIBEIN SHINEI (LIT. 'FROM BETWEEN THE TEETH OF') THE BEASTS. There exists in the world a dwelling place where all the great beasts and the great high mountains are, and these are hidden in those, THE BEASTS HIDE IN THE MOUNTAINS. THAT PLACE IS CALLED 'BASHAN.' There is the strong wild desert donkey. This is Og, who dwelt among the wild desert asses. There lies his strength, because he was the King of Bashan, MEANING THE KING OF THAT AREA, and none of the world's kings could fight with him due to the powerful might of Bashan. Moses came and waged war with him.

18. HE RESPONDS: It is because there are three levels of compassion that David mentions here, WHICH ARE YUD-HEI, ADONAI AND 'WHO.' "If You, Yah, should mark iniquities:" THAT IS ABA AND IMA REFERRED TO BY YUD-HEI AS EXPLAINED. If the iniquities are so many that they have ascended above to Aba and Ima, then it is "Adonai," which is Mercy. Although this name ADONAI is merciful, it will be aroused in judgment, and all the levels will be blocked through Judgment. Yet there is still one level that we can turn to, as all the remedies emanate from it, that one should have mercy on us. That one is 'WHO' THAT IS BINAH, "who could stand" FOR US assuredly, as it says, "Who can heal you" (Eichah 2:13). Therefore, if these TWO names, Yud-Hei Adonai, were sealed and hidden from him, "who could stand," because all the roads to repentance are open from it.

327. THE ACCUSER raises HIS EYES and sees the children of Yisrael are fasting and are bare footed. He sees women and he sees children; all are fasting, all are radiant with purity. "And he said, 'Who (Heb. mi) are those (Heb. eleh) with you?'" (Ibid. 5), MEANING the Holy Name ELOHIM THAT IS DERIVED FROM MI ELEH; THEY ARE with you, YISRAEL. He asked about the children, and he replied, "The children that Elohim has graciously given your servant" (Beresheet 33:5). HE ASKS: Did he need to answer him anything? HE REPLIES: Since he accepted that bribe, MEANING THE SCAPEGOAT, he turned to be a good advocate for them. He raised his eyes and saw Yisrael in this way and thought that, due to the fear of him, LEST HE MAKE ACCUSATIONS ABOUT THEM, they were in such a state OF FASTING AND REPENTANCE.