Parshat Matot
PARSHA OVERVIEW
Moshe teaches the rules and restrictions governing oaths and vows, especially the role of a husband or father in either upholding or annulling a vow. The Bnei Yisrael wage war against Midian. They kill the five Midianite kings, all the males and Bilaam. Moshe is upset that women were taken captive. They were catalysts for the immoral behavior of the Jewish People. He rebukes the officers. The spoils of war are counted and apportioned. The commanding officers report to Moshe that there was not even one casualty among the Bnei Yisrael. They bring an offering that is taken by Moshe and Elazar and placed in the Ohel Mo'ed (Tent of Meeting). The Tribes of Gad and Reuven, who own large quantities of livestock, petition Moshe to allow them to remain on the eastern side of the Jordan River and not enter the western Land of Israel. They explain that the land east of the Jordan is quite suitable grazing land for their livestock. Moshe's initial response is that this request will discourage the rest of the Bnei Yisrael, and that it is akin to the sin of the spies. They assure Moshe that they will first help conquer the Land of Israel, and only then will they go back to their homes on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Moshe grants their request on condition that they uphold their part of the deal.
PARSHA INSIGHTS
A Generational Perspective
“They approached him (Moshe) and said, ‘Pens for the flock shall we build here for our livestock, and cities for our small children.” (32:16)
How often is it that we might reveal our shortcomings to others, while we ourselves stay blissfully ignorant of our true selves? A slip of the tongue often speaks louder than an amplifier in the red on 11.
The tribes of Reuven and Gad were blessed with large flocks. Recognizing that the terrain on the east bank of the Jordan was ideal for cattle grazing, they petitioned Moshe for this to be their share of the Land.
The Midrash says that their request to Moshe betrayed a somewhat materialistic orientation. In the order of their priorities, ‘pens for the flock’ preceded ‘cities for our small children.’ Moshe, in his response, subtly corrected their priorities: “Build cities for your small children and pens for your flocks…” Children first.
It seems that Moshe’s subtle rebuke had its effect, for they replied, “Our small children, our wives, our livestock and all our animals will be there in the cities of Gilead.” (32:26)
Nevertheless, this Midrash appears difficult to understand. How could it be that Reuven and Gad, two of the tribes, two of the progenitors of the holy nation of Yisrael – how could they seemingly have been more concerned with their own possessions than about their children?
We should never make the mistake of comparing our own failings to the perceived failings of our holy ancestors. Their smallest ‘slip’ would, in our hands, appear like a jewel of a mitzvah! On their spiritual level, the children of Reuven and Gad were considered overly materialistic, but if they were walking around today, they would seem so spiritual as to be scarcely part of the planet.
