Conquering Our Emotions

This week’s Torah reading describes the Jewish people’s journey through the desert as they approached Eretz Yisrael. Rather than enter the land directly, G-d commanded them to avoid the territories of Edom, Moab, and Ammon. Although these nations were related to the Jewish people, they were allowed to keep their lands.

Our Sages explain that G-d originally promised Abraham the lands of ten nations, yet the Jews inherited only seven when they entered Israel. The remaining three—Edom, Moab, and Ammon—will become part of the Jewish inheritance only in the Messianic era.

The Land of Israel represents more than geography. It symbolizes our Divine service. Kabbalah teaches that creation is structured through ten Sefiros, Divine attributes reflected within every soul. These are divided into seven emotional qualities and three intellectual ones.

Accordingly, the seven Canaanite nations represent the emotions, while the three nations whose lands await the era of Mashiach correspond to the intellect. Our present mission is primarily to refine our emotions, for it is our feelings that most powerfully drive our actions.

The conquest of Canaan therefore symbolizes an inner struggle: will we master our emotions or be mastered by them? The Canaanites embodied selfish, materialistic living. The Jewish mission was to transform their land into a place where G-d’s presence could dwell.

The same is true within ourselves. We will always experience love, fear, and other emotions. The question is whether they will serve our own interests or be directed toward holiness, kindness, and reverence for G-d. Conquering the seven nations means refining our emotional lives so they become expressions of selflessness and holiness.

Shabbat Shalom!

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