Moshe retells some of the principal events of the past 40 years. Although some occurred recently, Moshe adds important insights and behind-the-scenes information. Prominent are the encounters with the three nations most closely related to Israel: Edom, descended from Yaakov’s twin brother Esav, and Moav and Ammon, descended from Avraham’s nephew Lot.

Earlier (Bamidbar 20:14-21), the Israelites, approaching their Promised Land, passed close to the territory of Edom, known as Se’ir, along the east-west axis, south of the Dead Sea. Having been refused passage through Edom, they circumnavigated it. Now Moshe reveals that Hashem had said:
And command the people, saying, “ You are passing through the border of your brethren the children of Esav, who dwell in Se’ir. They will fear you but take great care. Do not provoke them, for I will not give you of their land even a footstep, because as an inheritance to Esav, I have given Mount Se’ir” (Devarim 2:4-5).

Afterwards, they proceeded northward (Bamidbar 21:10-20), skirting Moav’s territory, Ar, alongside the southeastern half of the Dead Sea. At the time however, no explanation was given for not engaging them. Now Moshe explains:
…and we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moav. And Hashem said to me: Do not harass Moav, nor provoke them to war, because I will not give you from his land as an inheritance, because to the children of Lot have I given Ar as an inheritance. (Previously, the Emim dwelt there – a people great and numerous, tall as Anakim — the Refaim are also considered like Anakim; but the Moavites called them Eimim. Also, the Chorites dwelt in Se’ir previously, but the children of Esav drove them out: they destroyed them before themself, and lived in their place.) So has Israel done to the land of its an inheritance, which Hashem gave to them (verses 8-12).

Then Israel requested, and was refused, passage through the territory of Sichon, which they conquered; then they were challenged by Og, whose land they also conquered (Bamidbar 21:21-35). Their lands extended from the northeastern side of the Dead Sea, along the Jordan and the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). But just to the east lay the territory of Ammon, which Israel did not invade. At the time, the reason given for not doing so was the strength of the border (21:24). Now, Moshe reveals that Hashem had said:
And when you come near facing the children of Ammon, do not harass them nor provoke them, because I will not give you of the land of the children of Ammon to you as an inheritance, since to the children of Lot have I given it as an inheritance. (The land of the Refaim too is included: Refaim lived there previously — the Ammonites called them Zamzumim — a people great and numerous, tall as Anakim. Hashem destroyed them before them: they drove them out and lived in their place.) (verses 19-21).

Moshe seems to be saying: “Don’t think we avoided these three nations because of their fearsome might. Just as Hashem drove them out before the current inhabitants so He could drive them out before us. Rather, He said not to provoke them because they must remain in their land.”

But why does Moshe also provide additional historical background?

Chizkuni (R. Chizkiya ben Manoach, mid 13th Century) gives two approaches. The first is based on Bechor Shor (R. Yosef Bechor Shor, born c. 1140). Moshe wishes to forestall mistaken conclusions:
• Se’ir/Edom is identified with the Chivvites, since one of Esav’s wives is
Oholivama daughter of Ana, daughter of Tziv’on the Chivvite (Bereishit 36:2).
Furthermore, the Chivvites are listed among the seven nations that were given to Israel:
The place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Emorite and the Perizzite and the Chivvite and the Yevusite (Shemot 3:8).
Israel might have thought that the territory of Edom is also meant for them. Moshe explains therefore that originally the Chorites lived in Se’ir (verse 12), meaning that they are not of the seven nations. The Talmud (Shabbat 85a) explains that “Chivvite” is merely a descriptive nickname for the Chorites: they could taste or smell the earth like a snake (chivia) and determine where it was best to plant olives or figs. (Different pH levels are suitable for different plants, which an expert can determine by actually smelling or tasting the soil!)
• Moav is also called the land of the Refaim (verse 11), a nation mentioned among those promised to Avraham (Bereishit 15:20). Israel might have thought that the territory of Moav is meant for them. Thus Moshe says that the Moavites call them Eimim, which is their primary name. They are not the Refaim promised to Avraham.
• Ammon is also called Refaim (verse 20). Lest Israel think that their land too is due them, Moshe explains that their main name is Zamzumim, and they are not the Refaim promised to Avraham.

Chizkuni’s second approach refers to the Covenant between the Pieces, when Hashem promised Avraham the land of ten nations:
The Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Chittites, the Perizzites, the Refaim, the Emorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Yevusites (Bereishit 15:19-21).
The first three, which are not included in the seven nations, are identified with Edom, Moav and Ammon. Their land will not be granted to Israel until Mashiach (Rashi there; Bereishit Rabbah 44:23; Yerushalmi Kiddushin 1:8; Rambam, Laws of Murder 8:4; see Chizkuni on Bamidbar 24:21).
Moshe explains why the time for conquering their half-brothers has not yet come:
Take great care…
Their measure of sin is not complete; they do not yet deserve to be displaced.

At the actual time of these events, Israel could not fully comprehend the reasons for Hashem’s directives. Now, Moshe provides them with a broader view, which can be appreciated only in retrospect.

Tish’ah B’Av evokes many tragedies of our history. But when that history is behind us, we too will gain an understanding of Hashem’s plan.