PARSHA MATOS       Faith, Caring and Proper Priorities

In this week’s Torah portion Moshe outlines three guiding principles for life:   

1. Faith in G-d, 
2. Love of family, and
3. Caring for others.

The Jews were encamped on the far side of the Jordon River, about to enter the land of Israel. A group of representatives from the tribes of Gad and Reuvain approached Moshe with a somewhat odd request.  “We don’t want to enter Israel,” they said. “The land here is well suited for our flocks and our herds. It would be beneficial to us if we were allowed to remain here.” (Bamidbar 32:3-5).

Moshe, thought back to the story of the spies, when the acts of just a few men dissuaded the entire nation from entering Israel.  He chastised them strongly.  “Do you not remember what happened forty years ago when the spies discouraged our people from entering Israel?  Do you now want to make this same terrible mistake? Do you not remember that your fathers all died in the desert due to that single sin?  Do you now seek to rekindle G-d’s anger against us again”? 

The representatives of Gad and Reuvain spoke up in their defense.  “This is not what we meant, dear Moshe.  It is not our intent just to remain here. On the contrary, we will build stables for our livestock and homes for our children. Then we will join our brethren in the fight for Israel. Only after all is conquered will we return here and settle.”

Moshe was relieved to hear these plans.  “Yes”, he agreed, “you shall arm yourself for battle, cross the Jordan and fight with your brothers until Hashem drives out the enemy. Once the Land is conquered and settled, you may come back here and this land will be a heritage for you.” 

However, Moshe warned them: “If you do not fulfill this commitment you will bear a terrible sin before G-d.” Moshe continued: “Build homes for your children and stables for your livestock” and then Moshe added: “So shall you observe the words of your mouths.”

There were three parts of Moshe response:

1. Be committed to fight for your fellow Jew even if your own needs are provided for.   
2. Have faith! Lack in keeping this commitment will be a “terrible sin”.  and,    
3. First build homes for your children. Only then should you build stables for your animals.

 What was Moshe trying to convey with these words?          

First and foremost, Moshe wanted to teach the responsibility to care for others.  It is hard for someone sitting in luxury and comfort to realize the pain and anxiety of those in danger. We may read of Jews in Sderet being in danger from deadly mortars being launched at them by terrorists in Gaza, but can we really feel the fear and anguish that they feel on a daily basis?  We may read of Jews without jobs going to bed hungry after being forced from their homes in Gush Katif but more often then not, we then turn to the next story and go on with our lives.  Only a very caring person, with true love and concern for his fellowman, will be moved enough to share his or her good fortune with those in need, and to allow that person’s issues to impact their own hearts and minds and souls. 

This is the 1^st lesson which Moshe was teaching us.  Especially when it comes to the land of Israel, danger to one Jew is the concern and responsibility of every Jew.   No Jew can hide and say: “I am far away. I have many flocks and fertile pasture”.  No Jew should be able to enjoy any peace, at a time when our brethren are in a situation of danger.

The next lesson which Moshe taught was to have faith in G-d.   Don’t forget that all that we have comes from G-d and that He can do anything at any time. Denying G-d is a terrible sin.  We must keep our commitments and fulfill our responsibilities. When we do this, G-d will grant us blessing for success.   

Finally, Moshe taught, our families must come before our livelihoods.  You see, the representatives of Reuvain and Gad asked Moshe to allow them to “build stables for our livestock and homes for our children.” Moshe switched the order and tells them: “Build homes for your children and stables for your livestock.”  

The issue here is one of priorities.  Do we prioritize correctly? Or do we too put the cattle and the sheep, the office and the meetings, ahead of our children? How many husbands have missed many of the events in their children lives cause they were too busy trying to make more and more money to provide for those same children? 

Moshe is teaching:  Be there for your children.  Prioritize them before work or financial success.  The nachas you will get will certainly outweigh any material gain you would have otherwise gotten. 

Furthermore, Moshe was worried!  If they consider their animals before their own children, they will surely consider their financial safety before they care about the fellow Jews.  How can I trust them to put their lives in danger for others if they put their flocks and herds in front of their families?   

This explains why Moshe added: “So shall you observe the words that left your mouth”.  Once your values and priorities are in order, then I know you promise to put aside your personal issues and lead the charge to help your brethren will be kept.  Beyond a military plan for entering Israel 3000 years ago, Moshe sought to teach us the principles necessary to create a plan of life for the people of Israel for all time. 

 Moshe wanted us to realize then and to remember now that having faith in G-d, caring for others and love for family, are the proper values for us to embrace.  May we forever maintain these ideals and let us say, AMAIN