When our B’nai Mitzvah students write their drashot, they identify a lesson that one can derive from their parsha and prepare to teach it to the community. In doing so they prove to themselves the connection between Torah and their very own lives. They learn, and we learn from them, how to take these stories and apply them meaningfully in our world today. Sometimes this process is challenging; many lessons in the torah are hidden deep beneath the surface. Other times, however, the lesson is plain and readily applicable! This week’s double parsha (yes!), Matot-Masei, is one such instance where one of its lessons presents itself to us quite clearly!
Matot-Masei is the last set of parashot in the book of Numbers. All that is left to read of the Torah is the book of Deuteronomy, Moses’ final words of instruction to the Israelite people before they enter the promised land. Both temporally and physically, our ancestors are close to Eretz Yisrael. For the Tribes of Reuben and Gad, this is close enough. Both tribes own a great deal of cattle, and they see that some of the lands they have already conquered are ideal for their lifestyle. Seeing this, they make a simple request of Moses: that they not be moved across the Jordan with the rest of the Israelites and be left to settle these lands.
For Moses, however, this request does not appear simple at all. We read in our Torah that Moses replies, saying, “Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here? Why will you turn the minds of the Israelites from crossing into the land that God has given them?” (Numbers 32:6-7). Moses sees this request as an abandonment of the people, of God, and of the entire project of the Exodus in pursuit of free worship and sovereignty in the land of their ancestors.
But the tribes of Reuben and Gad do not intend this with their request. In response to Moses, they declare that they fully intend to participate in taking possession of the promised land and will join the Israelite armies in battle. They promise not to return to their homes “until the Israelites – every one of them – is in possession of their portion” (Numbers 32:18). The Reubenites and Gadites have no interest in a portion of the promised land for themselves, but they still understand that their destinies are bound with that of the whole nation of Israel. They are committed to supporting the project of homeland and they will not stop until God’s promise is fulfilled.
Just like the tribes of Reuben and Gad, we too stand outside of Israel and see a place where the work is not yet complete. And, just like those tribes, we too have a duty to support the project, never quitting until the promise is fulfilled! We live full and rich lives as Jews in the diaspora, but these lives must not come at the expense of our commitment to the greater mission of Jewish self-determination in our homeland.
The lesson in the Torah this week is clear and prescient: Israel rises when we stand together and face our challenges as a nation. There is still so much work to do. I believe we can do it. Because I believe in God. And because I believe in us. Am Yisrael Chai!