In these last two parshiot of the Book of Numbers, the Israelites continue to prepare for life in the Promised Land. And, in their planning, two of the tribes of Israel make a seemingly problematic request of Moses. Realizing that the land on the other side of the Jordan river was good for grazing, the leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad suggest the following: “The land that the ETERNAL has conquered for the community of Israel [in Jazer and Gilead] is cattle country, and your servants have cattle. It would be a favor to us if this land were given to your servants as a holding; do not move us across the Jordan.”
Only, this was not in the plan—and seems unfair. Moses replies: “Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here? Why will you turn the minds of the Israelites from crossing into the land that the ETERNAL has given them?” (Numbers 32:1-7)
Moses’ words are a stern rebuke.
His deepest wish, his lifelong dream, was to enter the Promised Land, and now two of the tribal leaders come to him and ask permission to do the exact opposite. And, not only would they not enter the Promised Land but—Moses wonders—would they be abandoning their people?
Reuben and Gad have a strong response however. They explain that their desire to enjoy the good grazing land on the other side of the Jordan does not in any way negate their sense of obligation to their people. They make it clear that they will support their brothers and join them in battle if need be.
Moses accepts their argument: “If you do this, if you go to battle as shock-troops, at the instance of the ETERNAL…until…the land has been subdued…and then you return—you shall be clear before God and before Israel…” (Numbers 32:20-21)
The takeaway is that it is OK to remain outside of the land as long as you are willing to join your brothers and sisters in their time of need.
In a moment like the one we find ourselves in currently, now 301 days into this terrible war, how can we not read these verses from this week’s Torah portion without a deep appreciation for the eternal relevance of our sacred text?
As Diaspora Jews, we might at first hear Moses’ rebuke with a sense of embarrassment or shame. We are here in relative safety while our Israeli friends and family are at war.
And yet having just returned from Israel, I did not once hear a comment like this from my sisters and brothers there. In fact, it was the exact opposite. Again and again, Israelis told me how grateful they were that we had come as a family to visit Israel during this challenging time. Israelis see how much we are advocating on their behalf. They know that we are reaching out to our elected officials to ensure that the United States government continues to give Israel the support it needs to wage this war against terror and chaos. They know that we are advocating for Israel in everyday conversations in person and online as well.
They know that there are a significant number of Diaspora Jews, including members of our own families, who immigrated to Israel and serve proudly in the IDF. Omer Neutra is one of those immigrants from America currently being held hostage in Gaza.
Israelis are aware of the painful conflict right here in our own country on college campuses, in our workplaces, and on social media. We are in these less dramatic and dangerous ways perhaps the “shock troops” that are called to battle on behalf of our people.
As a Jew, who is both of the Diaspora and an Israeli citizen, a Jew who spent five years living in Jerusalem and then decided to return to America to serve Jewish community here, it should come as no surprise that I believe in the value, viability, and importance of Diaspora Judaism.
And at the same time, I fully accept Moses’ rebuke.
When our brothers and sisters are at war, we cannot remain “here” as if we have no stake or role in this fight.
Israel has always been the shared project of the Jewish people wherever we find ourselves, in the land of Israel and throughout the Diaspora. In good times and in hard times as well, we must always be there for one another, no matter where we live.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Yoshi