Torah Portion - July 24, 2008

Parashat Matot - Numbers 30:1-32:42     Rabbi Mark S. Kram 7/21/08

After a group of Midianite women seduce Israelite men and cause a plague that kills 24,000 people, Moshe musters a militia of 12,000 Israelites. Soldiers representing each tribe swiftly conquer the Midianites, killing their kings and every male, including Balaam. Spoils, including people, precious metals, cattle and land, accrue to the victors and must be divided among all the tribes.

However the tribes of Gad and Reuben, possessing a large quantity of cattle, make a special request of Moshe.  They requested that they NOT be forced to cross over the Jordan with the other tribes for the conquest ahead:

Bamidbar-Numbers Chap. 32:4-5: "The land that the Lord has conquered for the community of Israel is cattle country, and your servants have cattle.  It would be a favor to us," they continued, "if this land were given to your servants as a holding; do not move us across the Jordan."

Moshe rejects Gad and Reuben's selfish wish to remain behind while the other tribes fight for the Land of Israel. Gad and Reuben propose a compromise:

Bamidbar-Numbers Chap. 32:16-19: "We will build here sheepfolds for our flocks and towns for our children.  And we will hasten as shock-troops in the van of the Israelites until we have established from them in their home, while our children stay in the fortified towns because of the inhabitants of the land.  We will not return to our homes until every one of the Israelites is in possession of his portion.  But we will not have a share with them in the territory beyond the Jordan, for we have received our share on the east side of the Jordan."

Moshe agrees to this arrangement but only assigns the desired territory to Gad and Reuben AFTER they have participated with the entire community in conquering the Promised Land. 

 

The lesson is clear: “Do not separate yourself from the community,” as Rabbi Hillel phrased it generations later.  So central a concept to Judaism is this that we read this in the Hagaddah on Pesach (the wicked son, “What is this for you?!” he asks, separating himself from his family and his community.

 

Strength of our community, whether Beth Or or the Jewish community in Miami, the US or the world – is based on each member playing their important part to add strength to the whole.  What is your role?  What do you add to the Jewish enterprise?  Shabbat Shalom!