Weekly Reading – מַטּוֹת / מַסְעֵי – Matot / Tribes; Numbers 30.2-32.42 / 33.1-36.13; Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 / 2:4-28
In the midst of a discussion about land, borders, and tribal territories, Moses poses a question that has lost none of its power to this day: “Should your brothers go to war while you remain here?” It is not just a question for the tribes of Gad and Reuben. It is a question for every society that must reflect on responsibility, solidarity, and the just distribution of burdens, just as our society is currently reflecting on conscription and Torah study.
“Should your brothers go to war while you remain here?” There are verses in the Torah that seem as if they were written only yesterday. One of them is in the Parashah Matot . The tribes of Gad and Reuben approach Moses with a request that, at first glance, seems quite understandable. They possess large herds of livestock. The area east of the Jordan is ideally suited to their needs. Therefore, they...
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