We are Brothers

Matot-Masei

Num. 30:2 – 36:13

 

Précis: Matot begins with a speech to the heads (matot) of the tribes concerning the importance and sacredness of vows. The tribes of Reuben and Gad express their desire to dwell east of the Jordan, and are permitted to do so, after promising to enter the Land to help the rest of the People defeat the Canaanites.

The Book of Numbers ends with Masei. “These are the stages (masei) of the journey” which the Israelites made through the desert. In what amounts to a recapitulation, all of the stops along the way are identified. 

 

Num. 32:6 “Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?”
           

The Gadites and the Reubanites ask Moses’ permission to stay on the eastern side of the Jordan, outside of the Promised Land. Moses accuses them of abandoning the nation, and they respond that they will serve as the “shock troops” for battle and make no claim for land west of the Jordan.
            The use of the word “brother” is a textural reminder of a previous story from Genesis, that of the separation of Abraham and Lot. (Gen 13:8 “So Abram said to Lot, “Let us not have any quarreling between us, or between your herders and mine, for we are brothers”). As with the tribes of Reuben and Gad, Lot chose land suitable for his herds, close to the Jordan. As was the case with the tribes, when Lot was threatened it was Abraham who raised a military force to rescue his "brother."

The story of the tribes and that of Abraham and Lot are different in one key respect: The tribes of Moses’ time are not playing Lot’s role, since they are active in defense of their brothers as opposed to needing saving. What the stories have in common is that when families are separated geographically, it is not easy to remain emotionally close. Many of us have experienced this in our own lives.

We in America find ourselves on the other side of an ocean from our “brothers” in Israel. There can be no doubt that Israel continues to be threatened both militarily and politically, and we have also seen that we in America are threatened with antisemitism caused by those who conflate criticism of Israel’s current government with Jews wherever we dwell.

Whatever side of the ocean we find ourselves on, we cannot forget that we share a covenant and destiny with our brothers.