Mattos- Masei
In Parshat Matos we read of how the Jewish people arrived at the eastern side of the river Jordan. They are poised to enter the land having almost completed the Journey from Egypt (The Parshah records the 42 Journeys which interestingly the Baal Shem Tov teaches us correspond to the 42 journeys we are must go through in life)
The tribes Reuven and Gad owned a lot of cattle and saw the fertile pastures of the Transjordan and so desire the land. They ask Moses for this land which is not part of the Holy land per say and requested that they not have to cross the Jordan.
The Torah records Moses’ response:
“Moses said to the descendants of Gad and the descendants of Reuben, “Shall your brethren go to war while you stay here?
Why do you discourage the children of Israel from crossing over to the land which the Lord has given them?”
In Hebrew the word discourage is “Teniyun” which Rashi explains …
“You turn aside and dissuade their hearts from crossing, for they will think that you are afraid to cross because of the war and the strength of the cities and the people.”
Moses continues his scathing criticism of their audacious request even comparing Reuven and Gad‘s intentions to that of the sin of the spies which ended in disaster – the entire generation bar a few exceptions dies in the wilderness!
In the end they negotiate with Moses committing to cross the Jordan and be at the forefront of the campaign to conquer the Holy Land. They prove to Moses that their request was not an escape from their national duty or sense of shared burden and brotherhood. Moses accepts the new terms.
Interestingly Moses adds that half of the tribe of Menashe would join them. This splitting of the tribe would encourage movement between Israel proper and the Transjordan.
The lesson we can learn from this episode is truly relevant to our lives. Often, we can desire something for our benefit, but have we calculated the impact it will have on those around us?
We don’t live in a vacuum. Our actions and behaviours effect the morale and well being of everyone around us.
Often, we underestimate how far reaching the effects of our actions can be.
We are currently in the three weeks which commemorates the destruction of the Temples. The second Temple was destroyed due to baseless hatred between Jewish people.
We may be divided into many tribes, we may express our Jewishness in diverse ways, but in essence we are one. God forbid when this oneness is violated through hatred, it perpetuates our spiritual exile causing destruction.
This Shabbat as we bless the new moon for the month of Av let commit to ensuring our actions have a positive effect on others.
Through this we will merit a time when according to our tradition the tragic events of Av will be transformed into joy, gladness and festivals
Shabbat Shalom