Freedom for the Druze and Israel
in Parshat Pinḣas it says: (Numbers 26:54) “To the large [tribe] you shall give a larger inheritance and to a smaller [tribe] you shall give a smaller inheritance, each person shall be given an inheritance according to his number.” RaSHI z’l teaches: “To the large you shall give a large inheritance. To the tribe with a large population you shall allocate a larger portion. Although the portions were unequal-since the portions were divided according to the size of the tribes-they were decided by lot, and the lot was determined by the Divine Spirit, as it is stated explicitly in [Tractate Bava Bathra [122a]: Eleazar the kohen was clad with the Urim and Thummim, and he said while inspired with the Divine Spirit, “If such-and-such a tribe is drawn, then such-and-such a territory will be allocated to it.” The tribes were inscribed on twelve slips, and the twelve territories on [another] twelve slips. They mixed them in a box and the chieftain [of a tribe] placed his hand inside and drew out two slips. In his hand came a slip bearing the name of his tribe and a slip [inscribed] with the territory designated for it. The lot itself cried out, saying, “I am the lot drawn for such-and-such a territory for such-and-such a tribe” as it says, “according to lot” (verse 56) [lit. by the mouth of the lot] (Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 6). Since some areas were superior to others, the Land was not divided [solely] according to measurements, but it was assessed; an inferior piece of land sufficient to sow a kor was equivalent to a superior piece sufficient to sow a seah [a thirtieth of a kor]; it all depended on the value [of the soil].”
in Ezekiel 47:14 it says “And you shall inherit it [the Land] one as another, being that I lifted up My hand to give it to your forefathers, and this land shall be to you an inheritance.” RaSHI z’l teaches: “one as another: and not like the first one (Num. 26: 54): ‘to each according to his numbered ones.’ Now, instead, all the tribes will be equal, and every portion will be like a row in a vineyard from the eastern border until the ocean to the west, as is explained in the account, and no two tribes will be in one strip.”
The Nation of Israel this week became involved in a conflict across its current border in “modern-day Syria”. Historically, this territory was known as Bashan, the kingdom of Og, and was inherited by half of the tribe of Manasseh when the Land was conquered. As the Torah tells us, the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh all took their inheritance on the other (East) side of the Jordan. Moshe insisted that despite this, they must cross over the Jordan with their brethren to fight the wars to conquer the land on the West of the Jordan. Suwaydah is approximately the ancient Golan in the Bashan, or perhaps Karnaim. In future times, this same stretch of land is destined to be inherited by the tribe of Reuben, according to the prophecy of Ezekiel. This land Suwaydah is, was, and will be the Land of Israel.
The process of Jews returning to the land of Israel through Zionism, over hundreds of years, has essentially consisted only of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. At the time of the Roman exile only Judah and Benjamin remained on the land, together with the Levi’s/Cohen’s (who did not have their own land portion), and some members of other Tribes who had escaped to Judah when the 10 Tribes were exiled. Why do we say this line every day in davening before the morning Amidah: “Rock of Israel, arise to the aid of Israel, and liberate Judah and Israel as You promised.” Judah AND Israel. Judah (up to this point bH roughly half the Jews in the world have already returned to the land) AND Israel (we must also know and acknowledge our brethren in the other Tribes, they are lost but we as Jews, and the modern State of Israel, have to assist with them coming back, and they will come back as it has been foretold in prophecy).
No other modern-day tribe is closer to us then the Druze. The Druze honor and revere Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses our teacher. Earlier in Bamidbar Moses tells Jethro “He [Moses] said, Please don’t leave us, for because you are familiar with our encampments in the desert and you will be our guide (lit. you will be our eyes).” We needed Jethro then, many troubles happened to the nation of Israel in the desert after Jethro split from us; and we need the Druze now, because truly they have been our eyes and ears. Do not think for 1 second that Suwayda is not the Land of Israel. Under no circumstances should any Jew or Israeli accept that there will be roving gangs of jihadi tribesman or extremist regime forces committing atrocities, G-d forbid, on or near the Land of Israel. In other words, Israel needs a buffer for its buffer. Zionism is just as much about freedom for other minority groups, Druze, Christian, and other marginalized groups (atheists, LGBT) as it it for Jews; that’s what’s called the moral high ground.
In ancient times the tribe of Reuben crossed the Jordan with the other tribes to fight the battles to conquer the land. With the help of G-d, in our times the sons of Judah and Benjamin will have to cross the Jordan in the other direction, to ensure land of Reuben remains free for all of G-d’s children, including Druze, Jews, and anyone else to safely practice their faith, and to bring it under the Land [of all the Tribes] of Israel.
In closing, it’s worth mentioning that I know very little about the Druze personally, but that is not important. I know they are settled among the people of Israel in brotherhood for many years now, and it is well known the Israeli Druze fight together with Israel. The Syrian Druze brothers have taken their inheritance on the other side of the Jordan, towards the rising of the sun, if you ask me it’s time to send the proper forces there without delay to ensure their immediate and long-term security and prosperity, and to hold accountable those who committed atrocities, make G-d take mercy on the victims. We ask for the support of President Trump may G-d safeguard and protect him, to continue supporting freedom loving people Israelis, Jews, Druze, Christian, peace-loving Muslims, and all people who hold the same Judeo-Christian values that Israel and America are founded on, to help extend the tribal land of Reuben – from the Golan Heights to the east – to bring the Syrian Druze under the protection of the covenant, and to strike with force against the jihadi criminals.
Shabbat Shalom
