Matos-Maasai: The Land Beyond Jordan
In this week's parsha, we learn that the tribes of Reuben and Gad informed Moshe that they did not want to inherit land within Israel alongside the other tribes. Instead, they preferred to settle in the territories outside of Israel, which were more suitable for their livestock. This led to Moshe allocating the land across the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Menashe. This decision raises several questions.
Firstly, why did Menashe, who never requested land outside of Israel, receive part of it, especially considering that Moshe was initially unhappy with Reuben and Gad's request? Additionally, why was Menashe split in half, with one part remaining in Israel and the other part outside?
Moshe negotiated with Reuven and Gad to ensure they would help conquer the land of Israel before settling outside of it. His concern was that their request might discourage the other tribes, similar to the negative impact of the spies' report. Despite his initial reluctance, Moshe's actions had a deeper significance.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that Moshe had a crucial role in sanctifying the land. Even though he did not enter Israel, his vision sanctified it. By allocating land to Menashe, Moshe symbolically extended Israel's holiness beyond its borders, a prefiguration of Israel's future expansion when the Messiah comes.
The tribe of Menashe had a deep connection to Israel. The daughters of Tzelafchad from this tribe fought for their right to inherit their father's land in Israel, and the name Menashe means "to not forget my father's house," highlighting their strong bond to the homeland. Thus, by sending half of Menashe across the Jordan, Moshe was not simply relocating them but extending Israel's sanctity.
For Reuven and Gad, settling outside Israel indicated a reluctance to fully engage with the land. In contrast, for Menashe, it symbolized an extension of Israel's holiness. This teaches us a profound lesson about perspective: the same territory can represent alienation for some and sanctity for others, depending on one's intentions and spiritual goals.
This lesson can be practically applied to our lives. The Lubavitcher Rebbe often advised students who were already in secular colleges to complete their degrees and even pursue PhDs, recognizing that their presence in these institutions could serve to extend the influence of Torah and Judaism into new spaces.
Ultimately, this illustrates that often, what appears to be a position of distance can actually be an opportunity to bring holiness to new frontiers. When we find ourselves in situations that seem far from ideal, we can choose to view them not as limitations but as chances to extend the boundaries of holiness in our lives and in the world around us.
Adapted from Life Talks on the Parsha