Torah portion

From Fellow Jew

Parshat Mattot: Numbers 30:2-32:42;
Jeremiah 1:1-2:3.

A

few weeks ago, the Torah
portion of Chukas related
that the Jewish army over-
whelmed the nations of Emori and
Bashan that dwelled along the east
coast of the Jordan River.
The Jewish nation found
itself now on the East Bank,
ready to enter the mainland.
In Mattot, this week's
Torah portion, the tribes
of Gad, Reuven and half
of Menashe approached
Moshe and requested per-
mission to annex the East
Bank. They argued that they
owned a great deal of cattle,
and the land on the East
Bank was more conducive
to pasturing cattle than the
mainland.
Moshe was indignant. It's inconceiv-
able that the bulk of the Jewish tribes
would wage battle on the mainland,
while two and a half tribes remain
on the East Bank safely ensconced in
their homes!
They persisted. "We will most cer-
tainly cross into the mainland to wage
battle together with our brethren; and,
in fact, we will even lead the battle."
Nevertheless, they still wanted their
cattle and families to remain on the
East Bank.
Moses acceded to their request. In
fact, the Talmud relates that the sol-
diers of these two-and-a-half tribes
left their families for the 14 years dur-
ing which the battles took place, and
the land was divided.
In truth, there were other reasons
why it was preferable that these tribes
live on the mainland, aside from the
issue of not joining their brothers in
war. The Tabernacle and ultimately
the Holy Temple would be built on the
mainland, and most of the Jewish edu-
cational and social institutions would
be established there as well.
To live on the East Bank, separate
from the majority, meant denying
their children many educational and
spiritual opportunities that were only
available on the mainland. In fact, our

sages tell us that because they made
the mistake of cutting themselves off
from the main body of the Jewish peo-
ple, these two-and-a-half tribes were
exiled years before their brethren.
So why did Moses give
in so easily? Perhaps he felt
that although they were
making a mistake in opt-
ing to remain on the East
Bank, it would be counter-
productive to push the issue.
Forcing someone to do
something that he/she does
not want to do never works.
Moses recognized that when
trying to influence people,
it is important to estimate
when you can push and
when you need to back off.
There is a custom to study a chapter
of Ethics of the Fathers every Shabbat
afternoon between Passover and Rosh
Hashanah. This week, we study the
first chapter.
Mishnah 12 states: "Hillel would
say: 'Be of the disciples of Aaron — a
lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one
who loves the creatures and draws
them close to Torah.'" If you would
draw someone to Torah — if you wish
to teach your fellow what is good and
true and to steer him from that which
is wrong and hurtful — you must first
love him with all your heart.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed
memory, sent shluchim — outreach
emissaries — throughout the world
to influence Jews and direct them to a
life of Torah and mitzvot. The Rebbe
also constantly stressed absolute and
unconditional love for one's fellow Jew
because the one is dependent on the
other.
Only by loving another and being a
true friend can a person be aware of
the strong points and weak points of
his friend and give loving guidance on
the journey of Torah and mitzvot that
will be appreciated and accepted. F-1

,

Elimelech Silberberg is rabbi at Sara and

Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center
in West Bloomfield.

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July 21 • 2011

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