AUGUST 1 • 2024 | 31
J
N

Conflict Management 
M

atot/Masei epitomiz-
es Moses’ leadership 
though his conflict man-
agement skills. 
As Moses prepares to cross the 
Jordan to the Promised Land, the 
tribes of Reuben and Gad ask to 
remain where they are. 
“Let this land be given to 
your servants as a heritage.
” 
Allowing two of the tribes to 
abandon the others would 
jeopardize the success of the 
other 10. 
In 1989, I co-authored a 
book, Conflict Management: A 
Communication Skills Approach, 
that introduced a conflict 
management process named 
the “Five A
’s.
”
Assessment. Evaluate the 
relationship of the parties and the 
cause of the conflict. Uncover the 
context in which the conflict takes 
place and where parties can reach 
common ground.

Moses explains the conflict isn’t 
about the land at all. He refers 
to the incident of the spies who 
demoralized the people and a gen-
eration was lost. Moses says that 
if they stay behind, they will have 
turned from Hashem with conse-
quences for themselves and 
for the people of Israel: “He 
will leave you in the desert 
again, and you will destroy 
this people.
” 
Acknowledgement. This 
builds empathy needed 
to find common ground. 
Moses had been forceful, 
blunt without outright 
refusing. He acknowledges 
the tribes may have a point 
by agreeing to negotiate. 
The Reubenites and Gadites 
acknowledge Moses’ concerns. 
They offer a counterproposal: After 
settling their families east of the 
Jordan, they will act as vanguards 
at the front. “We shall not return 

to our homes until each of the 
Children of Israel has taken posses-
sion of his inheritance.
” 
Attitude. The parties separate 
perceived conflict from real con-
flict. Moses sees that the two tribes 
share the same goal of possessing 
the Promised Land. The sons of 
Reuben and Gad recognize Moses’ 
authority. This is no rebellion. The 
tribes have asked for permission; 
their attitude reflects a desire to 
reach common ground. 
Action. This step implements the 
conflict. One-on-one, Moses tells 
the sons of Gad and Reuben that 
“When the land is then conquered 
before Hashem you may then 
return, free of any obligation before 
Hashem and Israel …
” He relates 
the same content with a different 
bias to the rest of the people: “If the 
descendants of Gad and Reuben 
cross the Jordan with you armed for 
battle before the Lord, and the Land 
is conquered, you shall give them 

the land of Gilead as a heritage.
” 
The promise to the two tribes is 
personal, with Moses’ assuring their 
innocence. The public announce-
ment lacks personalization and 
leaves Hashem out of the equation. 
The two tribes agree to the modi-
fied statement: “We shall do as the 
Lord has spoken to your servants.
” 
Analysis. Recognize conflict 
management as an ongoing pro-
cess. We do not see this step direct-
ly. Indirectly, it is reflected in how 
the incident of the spies provided 
growth in understanding the conse-
quences of failing to follow through 
with what Hashem asks. 
The Five A
’s are normally used 
within the context of business nego-
tiations, their use here may provide 
at least a useful means for under-
standing this week’s portion. 

David A. Victor is full professor 
of Management and International 
Business at Eastern Michigan 
University.

SPIRIT
TORAH PORTION

David Victor

Parshat 

Matot/Masei: 

Numbers 

30:2-36:13; 

Jeremiah 2:4-

28l 3:4.