As they neared the entrance to the Land of Israel, the Jewish people waged war against Og, king of Bashan, and conquered “all the territory of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.” (Devarim 3:4)
Rashi explains that Argob refers to the “province of the royal palace.” Separately, the Mishnah states that “Olive trees in Tekoa are the primary source of oil to be used in meal offerings. Abba Shaul says: Secondary to Tekoa is Regev on the east bank of the Jordan River.” (Menachos 8:3)
The Rebbe’s father identifies Regev as the province of Argob, which was given to the tribe of Menashe.
What is the shared theme between these two interpretations of Argob’s importance—that it was named for the king’s palace, and that it possessed the second most desirable olives?
