Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Matos-Masey מטות-מסעי: Damage Control

At the end of parshas Matos the tribes of Reuven and Gad ask Moshe to permit them to settle in the lands seized from the Amorite kings Sichon and Og. They explain that this territory is good for raising livestock and they have a lot of livestock. The lands are outside the Holy Land, adjacent to its eastern boundary on the Jordan River. Moshe does not like the request and asks them, "Are your brothers going to go to war while you sit here?" He then compares them to the spies who did not wholeheartedly follow Hashem and disheartened the children of Israel from entering into the Promised Land, bringing disaster upon the nation.
 
In a sincere reply the two tribes propose that they be the ones to spearhead the attack on Canaan and remain there until every man has received his portion. After the disposition of all issues concerning warfare and settlement, they will return they will return to the Transjordan, which will be their permanent heritage. Moshe accepts their proposal and even includes half the tribe of Menasha in it.

In his final discourses Moshe greatly praises the land of Israel. It's the prize of all lands, it has great natural resources, the eyes of G-d are upon it at all times. However the Chumash records no argument as to why these tribes should make what is really a superior choice. On the contrary Moshe when recalling this deal mentions that he knows they have a lot of livestock.

What we have here is an exercise in damage control. It foreshadows Moshe's address to the nation shortly before he perishes, starting with thinly disguised rebuke. Rashi explains (Devarim 1:3) that this is like Ya'akov avinu who only Reuven, because he laid with Bilah, on the day of his death chastised out of fear that he would join Esav if reprimanded earlier.

Reuven the son of Ya'akov and the two and a half tribes did in fact remain committed to the faith, even though there were flaws. In the case of the two tribes there was an inordinate emphasis on money. In addition they only wanted to be close to the land of Israel not to actually live there. However, they wanted to be a part of the nation of Israel and were willing to go out of their way to show their devotion. Plus they accepted Moshe's leadership and were willing to accept his advice. As a result it was appropriate to accommodate them in this issue.

We learn a number of lessons from this. How to graceful concede an issue is one of them. In dealing with matters of religion it is important to recognize that people are on various levels and in some situations a widely accepted precept may be very difficult for a segment of people. In a potential crisis things must be kept in perspective and one should recognize where concessions can be made and where they can not. It is important to have an honest dialogue; however overwhelming intellectual pressure should not be applied. It is not worth losing everything by clinging to a precept where there is room to be lenient. Rather, it is better to accept a situation that is less than ideal, so as to preserve much, including the hope that in the future things will improve.


 In Memory of Sidney Schreiber
 לע"נ שמואל בן נח ז"ל
15 Av 5769   טו באב תשס"ט                   



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A discussion how to gracefully make concessions so as to preserve a proper relationship

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