D’var Torah Parshat Matot: What About Them?

In this week’s parsha the Jewish people, camped on the bank of the Jordan River, are about to enter the land of Eretz Yisrael. Before they do so however, members of the tribe of Gad and Reuven request from Moshe not to enter the land of Eretz Yisrael but instead stay on the bank of the Jordan River because “ The land here is quite suitable for our cattle and it would be quite beneficial if we remain here,” (Bamidbar 32:3-5). Moshe then rebukes them for such a comment at the end of his rebuke however, Moshe tells them to, “Build cities for your children and pens for your livestock, and thus you shall observe the words that left your mouth.”

Rashi makes notes of how at the end  Moshe’s ridicule of the Bnei Gad and Reuven he reverses the order of the Bnei Gad and Reuven’s original complaint putting their children before their livestock instead of vice versa. From Moshe’s reversal of the Bnei Gad and Reuven’s complaint, by putting the children before their livestock, Rav Chaim Kamenetzky learns out an important lesson. That we need to put others first over our material possessions.

In a world were people feel it’s all about the money, money, money and their own selfish needs over the needs of others it is crucial that we do not forget the lesson of Moshe to put other people, especially those closest to us before our chasing after wealth and other selfishly motivated desires.

With the IDF currently in the midst of a major war with hamas  now more than ever it is necessary to put the lessons of this week’s parsha into practice. It is therefore, crucial for us to do what we can even if we  are not physically in Eretz Yisrael fighting the battle whether it be davening, learning or doing chesed for others.

Ultimately this will lead to love between the entire Jewish people making up for the tremendous hate that destroyed the second Bait Hamikdash between Jews leading us into the era of Moschiach may he come speedily in our days.

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes