In this episode, Rabbi Reinman shows how the particular interests of the tribes of Gad and Reuven opened the first cracks in the national unity.

The Jewish people approached Canaan as one people. They fought as one people and conquered the Amorite nation of Sichon to the east of Canaan. They fought as one people and conquered the Amorite nation of Bashan to the northeast of Canaan. Then they turned south and entered the nation of Moab and encamped by the river on the threshold of Canaan.

At this point, the first cracks in the unity of the Jewish people appeared. The rolling hills to the east of Canaan were rich pastureland, and the tribes of Gad and Reuven had exceedingly large flocks. They approached Moshe and suggested that they would forfeit their shares in Canaan proper and instead take their shares in Gilead and Bashan and remain there.[1]

Moshe took exception to their request. “What is this?” he told them. “Your brothers will go to war, and you will stay here? Why would you demoralize your brothers by not entering the land with them?”

“Of course not,” they replied. “We just want to help our families and flocks settle, and then we will cross into Canaan and be at the forefront of the fight until they reach their destination.”

“If you join your brothers in battle,” Moshe said, “then you can take your shares in this land. But if you don’t, you will take a share in Canaan just like everyone else.”

They accepted these conditions, and Moshe gave all the lands east of the river to Gad, Reuven and half the tribe of Menashe.[2]

This exchange presents many questions. Why did he give some of the land to half the tribe of Menashe? They had never asked for anything. And why only half Menashe?

Furthermore, why would the other tribes be demoralized if Gad and Reuven didn’t cross the river with them? This was still the Age of Revelation. The conquest of Canaan featured numerous miracles. God was fighting for them. The walls of Jericho fell miraculously. The day was extended in Giveon miraculously. As long as they followed God’s instructions, there were no casualties. The only reason there were casualties in the battle of Ai was because they had violated the prohibition against taking the spoils of Jericho. With God helping them, they didn’t need the help of Gad and Reuven. Why then would they be demoralized?

The requirement to fight for the land was clearly a religious obligation, not a strategic one. The acquisition of the land was not won on the battlefield, but God wanted them to earn it by fighting for it. In fact, Moshe stated very clearly that if Gad and Reuven did not cross over and fight, they would have to take a share in Canaan proper along with all the other tribes.[3] They would not be penalized for sitting out the war. So why would they be demoralized? …

Read full chapter and earlier chapters at www.rabbireinman.com.

[1] Although Reuven was the eldest among the tribes, while Gad was among the youngest, the Torah mentions them in that order, which indicates that Gad was the ringleader.

[2] Bamidbar 32:33.

[3] Ibid. 32,30, Kiddushin 61b.