Rabbi's Message

In this week’s double Torah portion of Matot-Masei, we learn how the tribes of Israel will be settled in the land of Israel.  Interestingly, two and a half of the twelve tribes were told that they would be allowed to settle East of the Jordan River, specifically, the tribes of Reuven and Gad (who requested to be settled as such) and half of the tribe of Menashe.  Why was the tribe of Menashe divided so that half of the tribe was to live in the land of Israel and the other half of the tribe outside of it?

Ramban (Nachmanides, 13th-century Spain) explains that Moses realized the land of Israel was small and therefore thought it would be helpful if he had volunteers to settle East of the Jordan.  Meanwhile, The Netziv (19th century; Poland/Russia) says that Moses knew that outside of the borders of Israel,  Reuven and Gad would not only be geographically separated from the other tribes, but would also be spiritually separated from the holiness of the land, and would therefore need teachers to help keep Judaism alive.  The tribe of Menashe, he writes, boasted the best teachers, so Moses logically allocated those teachers to them. Finally, the Degel Machaneh Ephraim (Moshe Chaim Ephraim; 18th century; Ukraine) explains that Moses was afraid that, in being geographically separated from the rest of the people, the tribes of Reuven and Gad would eventually attain a separate, independent identity.  This would lead to a split in the nation. In an attempt to prevent this split, Moses created a “bridge;” half of Menashe on one side of the border, and half on the other, resulting in a “constant flow of people.”  In other words, Moses worked to ensure that the Jewish people would stay connected and united, wherever they lived.

This remains an important lesson for today, especially for us, the Jewish community in the Diaspora.  Now, perhaps more than ever, it is essential that we remain united as a Jewish people.  However, we see pockets of the Jewish community, especially those on the far left and the far right (and others as well), not only at odds, but in fact, separating themselves from the rest of the global Jewish community.  We do not need to always agree or see eye to eye, but we do need to stick together and realize that at our core, we are brothers and sisters.  We are family.

This Shabbat, we begin the month of Av.  That means that Tisha B’Av (9th day of Av), the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, is fast approaching.  On Tisha B’Av we recall how we lost our Temple, our center, because of sinat hinam, baseless hatred, due to divisions within the Jewish people. From Moses, we learn how important it is always to create and preserve bridges within the Jewish people in order to maintain our unity (ahdut).  May we, along with our brothers and sisters, toil to not fall into the trap of hatred and division by striving to stay united and together today, tomorrow, and in all of the days to come.

Shabbat Shalom.