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Matot(Numbers 30:2-32:42)

In the Eyes of Man and God

The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Elazar the Kohen, and to the leaders of the assembly, saying, "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, Nebo, and Beon. The Land that God smote before the assembly of Israel – it is a land for flocks, and your servants have flocks." (Numbers 32:2-4)

Both the request of Gad and Reuven for land on the eastern side of the Jordan, and Moses' response, are very difficult to understand for a variety of reasons. They presented their request in a strange order. First they presented Moses with a list of cities. Then they added that the land was good pasture and they had large flocks.

This is followed by a closed paragraph (parasha stuma), as if that particular topic was done and a new one begun. Only after this break do they request openly what was seemingly on their minds from the beginning: "Give us this land and permit us to stay on this side of the Jordan" (Numbers 42:5). They should have first made their request, explained it, and only then presented a list of cities.

Moses' response also defies understanding. First, he appeared to assume that they were afraid to enter the Land of Israel like the spies. There is seemingly no attempt to judge them favorably; they are simply accused without any probing of their motivations.

Only when they offered to leave their wives, children and cattle in fortified cities in Transjordan, did Moses accept their offer. This, too, is puzzling in light of the fact that the principal fear of the spies was that their wives and children would die in the conquest of the land, and now Gad and Reuven were trying to exempt theirs from danger. If Moses suspected them of sharing the spirit of the spies, why permit them to leave their families safely in Transjordan?


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It appears to me that the key to understanding this sequence lies in the precise language of Moses' answer. If Gad and Reuven kept their word to go before the rest of the nation into war, Moses told them, "You will be pure and guiltless in the eyes of God and in the eyes of the Jewish people" (Numbers 32:22). The Sages derive from these words that a person must not act in such a way as to cause others to suspect him of sin. The entire concept of mar'is ayin is based on this source. Although a Jew is required to judge his fellow Jew favorably, that is not a license to give rise to needless suspicions which will cause others to leap to false conclusions.

In this light, the entire exchange takes on an entirely new cast. The two tribes realized that their request could raise suspicions. That is why they first hinted to Moses rather than making an express request. They hoped that Moses would of his own accord make the suggestion that they remain in Transjordan, and thus absolve them. Therefore they began with a list of the cities, in the hopes that Moses would himself recognize the suitability of these rich pasture lands for their large herds.

When Moses remained silent, they became more explicit, adding that these cities were surrounded by rich pasture lands and that they had large herds of cattle. At that point they ended their presentation, as indicated by the closed paragraph. Only because Moses still remained silent did they have no choice but to make their final request.

For his part, Moses understood their intentions from the beginning. But he felt that no matter who actually verbalized the suggestion of remaining in Transjordan, it would have a demoralizing effect. He did not think that their actual intentions were bad, but wanted Gad and Reuven to understand how suspicious their request appeared on the surface. Because the suspicious appearance of cowardice was the entire problem Moses was combating, it was entirely sufficient for the two tribes to offer to lead the Jewish armies into battle to remove that suspicion.


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The Mishnah (Avot 2:1) tells us that we must choose a path of service of God that brings glory and approbation both from God and man. Torah and mitzvot are not one's own private domain; one has an obligation to strengthen others' Torah and mitzvot by being a good example.

Perhaps this is the meaning of the following Midrash (Vayikra Rabba 34:8):

Rav Yitzchak said that the Torah teaches us derech eretz (proper behavior). When one performs a mitzvah he should perform it with joy. For had Reuven known that the Torah would record that he attempted to save Joseph from the brothers, he would have carried him on his shoulders and run home.

And if Aaron had known that the Torah would record that he greeted Moses with a happy heart after (Moses) was chosen to be the Redeemer, he would have come (to him) with drums and cymbals.

And had Boaz known that the Bible would record his giving Ruth some parched wheat to eat, he would have offered her a banquet.

When one does something to teach others, he does it in a more clear-cut fashion than if he were doing it for his own benefit alone. Had Reuven, Aaron and Boaz known that their actions were not just their own private concern, but would be recorded in the Torah as a lesson to posterity, they would have performed them with even greater intensity and zeal.

Derech eretz is anything that promotes and strengthens society. Hence marital relations, business and commerce, and good character traits are all aspects of derech eretz. Rav Yitzchak's lesson is that we should perform the mitzvah in such a way that our own joy in the mitzvah is obvious, for in that way we inspire and strengthen others in the performances of mitzvot.


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Visitor Comments: 3

(3) JP, July 6, 2013 8:44 AM

If Reuven, Boaz an Aaron had performed their actions with greater intensity because they knew it would have been recorded in the Torah, then there is a good chance that they would have done it to receive for self. Everything we learn from the Torah is about diminishing our ego, it's sad that one can so easily use it, to do the exact opposite.

(2) Bracha Goetz, July 4, 2013 4:44 PM


(1) Yehudith Shraga, July 3, 2013 12:51 PM

Wonderful explanation

Thank you Rav Z.Leff for sharing your insights, they are very clear and teach a lot.

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