WHEN YOUR BROTHER GOES OUT TO WAR
Matos
As Bnei Yisroel are poised to enter Eretz Yisroel, the tribes of Reuven and Gad set their sights on the recently conquered eastern bank of the Jordan. It was a fertile land, good for grazing, and they had lots of flocks. They opted to live in Chutz Laaretz and enjoy a life of financial success and comfort.
Moshe’s shock and dismay was not because they were placing their desire for financial success above the holiness of Eretz Yisroel. Rather Moshe questioned their very morality; האחיכם יבואו למלחמה ואתם תשבו פה “Will your brothers go out to war and you sit here?” How could it be that your fellow Jews will go out in battle to conquer the Holy Land, risking their lives on the front and you will remain here in the comforts of Chutz Laaretz? This is not the Jewish way. We are one people, responsible to and for one another. What affects one, affects us all.
Accepting Moshe’s rebuke, the tribes of Reuven and Gad declare that before they settle in the comfort of the Eastern bank of the Jordan, they will go out to fight together with the tribes entering the Land.
Moshe accepts their proposal and allows them to take their inheritance on the other side of the river; but not before adding that half of the tribe of Menashe would inherit their portion together with them.
Where does Menashe fit in?
Menashe never asked to remain on the eastern bank. Why does Moshe ‘relegate’ them to joining Reuven and Gad outside of the borders of the Holy Land?
In last week’s Parsha we read how the daughters of Tzelofchad came before Moshe and the elders to demand that they be able to inherit their deceased father’s portion in Eretz Yisroel. At a time when the men had spurned the Holy Land, asking to return to Egypt, these five women demonstrated a great love of the Land and a desire to dwell there.
Where did their great love of Eretz Yisroel come from? The Torah traces their lineage as being the daughters of Tzelofchad son of Chefer, son of Gilad, son of Machir, son of Menashe, son of Yosef. Despite having reached the pinnacle of financial success as the de facto ruler of Egypt, Yosef yearned for the Holy Land. His dying wish was that when the Jewish people would eventually leave Egypt, his body should be exhumed and buried in Eretz Yisroel.
Yosef’s great love of the Land even while in Egypt, was encapsulated in the name given to his firstborn son, Menashe. Yosef explained the significance of this name; for G-d has caused me to forget (nashani)… my father’s home. Menashe reflected Yosef’s desire to retain his connection to his ancestral homeland.
This love was passed down from generation to generation. This was the love which inspired the daughters of Tzelophchad in their campaign.
Menashe, said Moshe, would live on the eastern bank of the Jordan to ensure that the Jews of Chutz Laaretz would retain their love and longing for Eretz Yisroel.
But why only half of the tribe?
The Shach in his commentary on the Torah writes that this was שלא תשתכח האחוה so that the brotherly love not be forgotten. Having the single tribe of Menashe span both sides of the Jordan shows that the Jews of Chutz Laaretz and Eretz Yisroel remain one people. Despite the geographical divide, we are united in our love and support of one another and united in our love and devotion to Eretz Yisroel.
A timely message:
Today we witness rockets raining down on the civilian population of Israel. Millions of our brothers and sisters are confined to bomb shelters, suffering sleepless nights, fear and panic. Our soldiers bravely stand in battle against the enemies of our people. We must ask ourselves Moshe’s question; as our brothers go out to war can we just sit here and enjoy the comforts of life in Chutz Laaretz?
But what can we do from so far away?
Reuven and Gad pledged to go out to fight before Bnei Yisroel. Moshe tells the tribes of Reuven and Gad that they will be going out to battle before Hashem. The commentaries explain the significance of this nuance.
When Jewish armies go out to war, Hashem travels with them; Hashem your G-d goes out in the midst of your camp to save you and place your enemies before you. If we look back at the miraculous nature of the military victories of 1948, 1967 and 1973, and the miracles happening now before our very eyes, we see that the Guardian of Israel does not slumber or sleep. He is watching over us and our soldiers to protect them and grant them success.
The battle for the safety of the Jewish people is a Mitzvah. Our wars are not just fought militarily by the courageous and skilful soldiers on the battlefield. Every Tefillah that we offer and each Mitzvah that we do strengthens the ‘war-effort’.
One example; In 1967, in the lead-up to the 6-day War, the Lubavitcher Rebbe urged Jewish men to put on Tefillin and to assist other men to be able to do this Mitzvah. The Torah states the nations of the world will see the name of Hashem called upon you and will fear you. Our sages explain that this is a reference to the Mitzvah of Tefillin, which will cause fear to fall upon our enemies. This calling is as relevant today as it was then.
The Rebbe also emphasised the power of our Tefillos, especially those of young children, for from the mouths of babes… you established strength… to silence the enemy and the avenger. And the Talmud teaches that Torah study offers ongoing protection.
To our brothers and sister in the Holy Land we send you this message from ‘the other side of the Jordan’: We will not forget our brotherly love for you. We stand together with you, our people and our Land. We admire your great courage and faith in these most trying times. We are grateful and humbled by our brave soldiers of the IDF who are on the front lines defending our people.
And we will not just sit back in comfort while you are at war. Your fight is our fight. By adding an extra Mitzvah and through our prayers, Tehillim and extra Torah study, we stand alongside you, doing our part.
May we immediately see true and lasting peace and security in Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach when nation will not lift up a sword against another nation and nor will they learn war anymore.
Moshe’s shock and dismay was not because they were placing their desire for financial success above the holiness of Eretz Yisroel. Rather Moshe questioned their very morality; האחיכם יבואו למלחמה ואתם תשבו פה “Will your brothers go out to war and you sit here?” How could it be that your fellow Jews will go out in battle to conquer the Holy Land, risking their lives on the front and you will remain here in the comforts of Chutz Laaretz? This is not the Jewish way. We are one people, responsible to and for one another. What affects one, affects us all.
Accepting Moshe’s rebuke, the tribes of Reuven and Gad declare that before they settle in the comfort of the Eastern bank of the Jordan, they will go out to fight together with the tribes entering the Land.
Moshe accepts their proposal and allows them to take their inheritance on the other side of the river; but not before adding that half of the tribe of Menashe would inherit their portion together with them.
Where does Menashe fit in?
Menashe never asked to remain on the eastern bank. Why does Moshe ‘relegate’ them to joining Reuven and Gad outside of the borders of the Holy Land?
In last week’s Parsha we read how the daughters of Tzelofchad came before Moshe and the elders to demand that they be able to inherit their deceased father’s portion in Eretz Yisroel. At a time when the men had spurned the Holy Land, asking to return to Egypt, these five women demonstrated a great love of the Land and a desire to dwell there.
Where did their great love of Eretz Yisroel come from? The Torah traces their lineage as being the daughters of Tzelofchad son of Chefer, son of Gilad, son of Machir, son of Menashe, son of Yosef. Despite having reached the pinnacle of financial success as the de facto ruler of Egypt, Yosef yearned for the Holy Land. His dying wish was that when the Jewish people would eventually leave Egypt, his body should be exhumed and buried in Eretz Yisroel.
Yosef’s great love of the Land even while in Egypt, was encapsulated in the name given to his firstborn son, Menashe. Yosef explained the significance of this name; for G-d has caused me to forget (nashani)… my father’s home. Menashe reflected Yosef’s desire to retain his connection to his ancestral homeland.
This love was passed down from generation to generation. This was the love which inspired the daughters of Tzelophchad in their campaign.
Menashe, said Moshe, would live on the eastern bank of the Jordan to ensure that the Jews of Chutz Laaretz would retain their love and longing for Eretz Yisroel.
But why only half of the tribe?
The Shach in his commentary on the Torah writes that this was שלא תשתכח האחוה so that the brotherly love not be forgotten. Having the single tribe of Menashe span both sides of the Jordan shows that the Jews of Chutz Laaretz and Eretz Yisroel remain one people. Despite the geographical divide, we are united in our love and support of one another and united in our love and devotion to Eretz Yisroel.
A timely message:
Today we witness rockets raining down on the civilian population of Israel. Millions of our brothers and sisters are confined to bomb shelters, suffering sleepless nights, fear and panic. Our soldiers bravely stand in battle against the enemies of our people. We must ask ourselves Moshe’s question; as our brothers go out to war can we just sit here and enjoy the comforts of life in Chutz Laaretz?
But what can we do from so far away?
Reuven and Gad pledged to go out to fight before Bnei Yisroel. Moshe tells the tribes of Reuven and Gad that they will be going out to battle before Hashem. The commentaries explain the significance of this nuance.
When Jewish armies go out to war, Hashem travels with them; Hashem your G-d goes out in the midst of your camp to save you and place your enemies before you. If we look back at the miraculous nature of the military victories of 1948, 1967 and 1973, and the miracles happening now before our very eyes, we see that the Guardian of Israel does not slumber or sleep. He is watching over us and our soldiers to protect them and grant them success.
The battle for the safety of the Jewish people is a Mitzvah. Our wars are not just fought militarily by the courageous and skilful soldiers on the battlefield. Every Tefillah that we offer and each Mitzvah that we do strengthens the ‘war-effort’.
One example; In 1967, in the lead-up to the 6-day War, the Lubavitcher Rebbe urged Jewish men to put on Tefillin and to assist other men to be able to do this Mitzvah. The Torah states the nations of the world will see the name of Hashem called upon you and will fear you. Our sages explain that this is a reference to the Mitzvah of Tefillin, which will cause fear to fall upon our enemies. This calling is as relevant today as it was then.
The Rebbe also emphasised the power of our Tefillos, especially those of young children, for from the mouths of babes… you established strength… to silence the enemy and the avenger. And the Talmud teaches that Torah study offers ongoing protection.
To our brothers and sister in the Holy Land we send you this message from ‘the other side of the Jordan’: We will not forget our brotherly love for you. We stand together with you, our people and our Land. We admire your great courage and faith in these most trying times. We are grateful and humbled by our brave soldiers of the IDF who are on the front lines defending our people.
And we will not just sit back in comfort while you are at war. Your fight is our fight. By adding an extra Mitzvah and through our prayers, Tehillim and extra Torah study, we stand alongside you, doing our part.
May we immediately see true and lasting peace and security in Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach when nation will not lift up a sword against another nation and nor will they learn war anymore.