Why were the chieftains of Edom and the strong men of Moav afraid?
Rashi: Even though they knew that Yisrael were not threatening them (Mechilta 1 ), they were pained over the honor of Yisrael.
Ramban (to 15:14, citing the Ibn Ezra): If not for the fear of Hashem, they would have attacked Yisrael out of hatred. "Moav" includes Amon.
Seforno: They were simply overawed by the magnitude of the miracles.
Rashbam: Refer to 15:14:2:2 .
Sifsei Chachamim: The command not to attack them was already given, even though it was not written until later - in Devarim 2:5 & 2:9. (Who told this to Edom and Moav? The Mechilta says that even though we could not take their land, they were afraid that we would return to the hatred and the feud that existed between their ancestors (Esav and Lot respectively) and our ancestors. (PF). For Maharal's comments, see 15:15:1.3:1 .)
What are the connotations of "Yochazei'mo Ra'ad"?
Seforno: It was a prayer, that a fit of trembling should seize the chieftains of Edom and the strong men of Moav - to prevent them from attacking Yisrael.
Why does the Torah single out the nations of Peleshes, Edom, Moav, and the inhabitants of Kena'an - in that order?
Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 47, p. 192): (The Torah lists the nations that especially feared the advance of Bnei Yisrael, in increasing order of their degree of fear.) The Pelishtim felt themselves in opposition, more so than other nations, due to their proximity. Edom is in inherent opposition to Yisrael; and Moav to an even greater degree. 1 The inhabitants of Kena'an "melted;" they were fully aware that we aimed to attack them and inherit their land.
Maharal: Converts from Edom are forbidden to marry into Yisrael until the third generation; whereas the male line of a convert from Amon and Moav is forbidden forever. (See the questions on Rashi, 15:15:1.1:1 and 15:15:1.3:1 . Maharal discusses Amon as well, despite that our Pasuk does not mention Amon's reaction to Keri'as Yam Suf; compare to Ramban (to 15:14).)
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'The chiefs of Edom; the mighty ones of Moav' - But [these nations] needn't have been afraid at all, for it was not against them that [Bnei Yisrael] were coming!" But wouldn't they have been afraid of Bnei Yisrael anyway? Indeed, we later see how Balak, king of Moav, was terrified of an attack by Bnei Yisrael (Bamidbar 22:1-3)!
Gur Aryeh: The preceding verse us told us that all of the nations were fearful of Yisrael in a general sense - "The nations heard and trembled" (15:14). The Torah now singles out specific nations that were especially afraid - Peleshes, Edom, Moav, and the inhabitants of Kena'an. We understand why Kena'an "melted" in fear, as they knew we were coming after them (and Hashem had put weakness in their heart). Rashi (citing Mechilta) is asking, as to what reason Edom and Moav had to be especially afraid. (He answers that they were simply pained by Yisrael's success.) 1
Gur Aryeh: Examining the verse carefully, we see it was not the common populace of Edom and Moav that felt this way (as was the case for Kena'an), but rather only the "chieftains and mighty ones." Also see Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 47, p. 192) - Their opposition to Yisrael was not a natural response to current events, but rather an attitude inherent in their nationhood (i.e. in terms of their nation's significance on High). Therefore, the opposition was expressed among their leaders.
Rashi writes: "... Rather, they were distraught and pained over the glory of Yisrael." Why was it specifically Edom and Moav who were so pained?
Gur Aryeh: Edom and Moav felt that they too were worthy of such greatness, due to their lineage connecting them to Avraham Avinu. That is why they were particularly jealous.
Rashi writes: "... Rather, they were distraught and pained over the glory of Yisrael." The Mechilta comments, that Edom was concerned that Yisrael would take revenge for Esav's hatred of Yaakov (see Bereishis 27:41); and Moav was afraid because of the quarrel between the shepherds of Avraham and Lot (Bereishis 13:7). Would these be reasons for Yisrael to come and attack them now, centuries later?
Gur Aryeh: Those past events serve as indications that Edom and Moav are in inherent opposition to Yisrael, more so than other nations. As Chazal interpret (Bereishis Rabah 41, 6); when Avraham said to Lot, "Please separate (Hipared) from me" (Bereishis 13:9), it implies that just as a mule (Pered) can bear no offspring, so too, Lot shall never mix with Yisrael. Likewise for Esav, who preserved his grudge against Yaakov. It was this ingrained hatred and opposition, which led to their fear now. 1
Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 47, p. 192): The idea that Edom and Moav stand apart from Yisrael, to a greater degree than do other nations, is demonstrated in the Torah's prohibition for their converts to marry into Yisrael -- Edom, until the third generation; and [male] Moabites, forever (Devarim 23:4-9). Chazal do not mean that Edom and Moav feared these particular historical events, but rather, that these events are indicative of the divide between these nations and Yisrael. As for Amon and Moav's opposition to Yisrael, see Maharal, Chidushei Agados (Vol. 2, p. 26, to Nazir 13b) - Lot started off close to Avraham, but he then chose to distance himself - severing all connection between them. That is why his descendants, Amon and Moav, are forbidden forever to marry in. Also see Maharal in Netzach Yisrael (Ch. 60, p. 220) - These nations do have some power on High, for they had once been close to Kedushah.
