ספר במדבר - פרשת מטות - לב:א-יט - ששי

Bamidbar Chapter 32:1 — The children of Reuven and the children of Gad had a very large amount of livestock. They saw the land of Yaazer and the land of Gilad, and behold, the place was a place for livestock.

And the children of Gad and the children of Reuven came and spoke to Moshe, to Elazar the Kohen, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying:

Atarot, Divon, Yaazer, Nimrah, Cheshbon, Elaleh, Sevam, Nevo, and Beon. (These cities were from the lands of Sichon and Og: [Berachos 8b])

The land that Hashem struck before the congregation of Israel is a land for livestock; your servants have livestock.

They said: If we have found favor in your eyes, let this land be given to your servants as a possession; do not bring us across the Jordan.

And Moshe said to the children of Gad and Reuven: Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? (This is an expression of wonder.)

And why do you discourage (turn away) the heart of the children of Israel from crossing into the land that Hashem has given them? (To discourage means to remove or prevent their hearts from crossing. They would think you are afraid because of war or strong cities and people.)

Your fathers did so when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to see the land. (Kadesh Barnea — that is its name; there were two places called Kadesh.)

They went up to Nachal Eshkol and saw the land; they discouraged the heart of Israel from coming into the land that Hashem had given them.

The anger of Hashem burned on that day and He swore saying:

If any men who came up from Egypt from twenty years old and above will see the land that I swore to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—because they did not follow Me fully—

Except for Kalev son of Yefuneh the Kenizite and Yehoshua son of Nun; for they followed Hashem fully. (Kenizite — he was Kenez's stepson; Kalev's mother bore Otniel for Kenez.)

The anger of Hashem burned against Israel; He made them wander in the desert forty years until all that generation who did evil in His eyes was gone. (He made them wander — He caused them to be unsettled. From 'wanderer' or 'fugitive'.)

And behold—you have arisen in place of your fathers as a band (increase) of sinful men, adding yet more to Hashem's anger toward Israel. (To add — as in Yeshayahu 29:1 "add year upon year", Yirmiyahu 7:21 "add your offerings", meaning addition.)

If you turn away from following Him, He will again leave [the people] in the desert—and you will destroy all this people.

They approached him and said: We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our children. (They cared more about their property than their sons and daughters since they mentioned their livestock before their children. Moshe told them: "No! Make what is primary primary and what is secondary secondary—build first cities for your children then folds for your sheep.")

We will hasten armed before Bnei Yisrael until we bring them to their place; our children will dwell in fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. (We will hasten armed—quickly with speed. As in Yeshayahu 8:1 "Maher Shalal Chash Baz"; Yeshayahu 5:19 "let Him make haste". Before Bnei Yisrael—at the head of troops since they were mighty warriors as it says about Gad [Devarim 33:20] "He tears arm even head". Moshe later explained [Devarim 3:18] "I commanded you at that time...all men fit for battle shall cross over armed before your brothers." In Jericho it says [Yehoshua 6:13] "the armed ones went before them"—this refers to Reuven and Gad who fulfilled their condition. Our children will dwell—in newly built fortified cities while we are with our brothers.)

We will not return to our homes until every man among Bnei Yisrael has received his inheritance.

For we will not inherit with them on yonder side of Jordan because our inheritance has come to us on this eastern side. (On yonder side—the western side; our inheritance has come—we already received it on this eastern side.)

Summary

This passage teaches about prioritizing communal responsibility over personal comfort. The tribes' initial request is challenged by Moshe who reminds them—and us—not to repeat past mistakes but instead ensure unity and support among all members before seeking personal gain.