Parshas Matos – Masai (5760)

Bs”d

Parshas Matos – Masai (5760)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

We are now about to reach the realization of the promise that HaShem made to Avraham Avinu back in Parshas Lech-Lecha—‘yerushas haaretz’, the acquiring and settling in Eretz Yisroel. So much has transpired since that promise, so many years of galus, so much suffering, including the torturous slavery in Egypt and the years of wandering the desert. Now it is drawing to its finale. The joy of now being able to enter and settle in Eretz Yisroel, something which Moshe Rabainu and Aharon HaKohain were deprived of as a punishment, has now become a reality for Klal Yisroel. Just at this glorious point of history the tribes of Reuven, Gad and part of Menashe petition to separate themselves from the rest of Klal Yisroel, because of their abundance of livestock, and forfeit the yearned for, suffered for, stupendous, magnificent right to Eretz Yisroel. They prefer to settle where they were presently located, which was more suitable for their livestock. This seemingly utterly absurd request reflects such a lack of respect, regard, appreciation or any value for Eretz Yisroel.

One would think that for being guilty of such callousness and disrespect for HaShem’s prized possession they would be greatly censured and criticized. In one Medrash (22:7-8) we find comparatively minor accusations against them; either not waiting until HaShem presented them with the land that was allotted to them, or that they separated themselves from the body of Klal Yisroel. In the Chumash itself Moshe Rabbenu complained to them that their breaking off and settling would have an adverse effect on the spirit and confidence of the rest of Klal Yisroel– also a far cry from the great ‘avlah’ they seemed to be guilty of. We have to understand why in the light of the true perspective of the Torah and Chazal are they innocent of what seems like a great crime?

I wish to share the following thought on this perplexity. Understanding this properly relates perhaps to one of the most important principles of life. The most precious commodity (if we can call it that) we have in our lives, is life itself. Life, the actuality of our existence, the essence of our existence, boils down to what we call–TIME.

The Gemara relates an incident of an Amora when crossing a field of thorns lifting his robe, allowing the sharp edges to pierce his flesh instead of his clothing. In explaining he replied—to repair the clothing requires time, his flesh heals on its own. Time is too precious–it is life itself.

In comparing the personal effort and involvement between agriculture that was the main source of income in Eretz Yisroel, and caring for livestock, the former requires a much greater investment of time. Caring for livestock where the animals are left to graze on their own affords their owners relatively more freedom and time, our most precious commodity. We mustn’t lose the absolute, true perspective and true paradigm. Eretz Yisroel is so important and so precious, but time is life itself, the opportunity for growth and true accomplishment. Nothing in the world can come close to it.

Hope we shall see the ‘geulah sh’layma’ through Moshiach Tzidkainu.