Moshe was given his final tasks to fulfill before his passing. He was ordered to do battle with the Midianites, punishing them for having enticed the Jewish people to sin. The spoils that were taken were divided among the soldiers and the Levites. Although the Levites did not fight in the wars, they were considered “partners” with the people in their spiritual responsibilities and were treated as such.
The tribes of Reuven and Gad requested the trans-Jordanian side of Israel as their inheritance. They had much livestock and they felt that the lush pasture of this part of the land was preferable. Moshe sharply rebuked the tribes for wanting to separate themselves from their brothers. He accused them of failing to appreciate the Promised Land, similar to their fathers who had left Egypt and died in the desert for the very same reason.
Reuven and Gad promised they would not forsake their brothers, and that they would help fight to conquer the land. Based on this condition, Moshe allowed them to inhabit the trans-Jordanian cities.
Moshe was also ordered to designate cities of refuge where an accidental murderer could flee from the family of his victim. These included the forty-two cities of the Levites, an additional three cities in the mainland, and three cities on the trans-Jordanian side. The murderer would reside in one of these cities, until the death of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. The Talmud explains what the Kohen Gadol had to do with the murder, because had the leader of the generation been on a proper spiritual level, occurrences such as accidental murders would not have happened. Although the death was not caused through malice or intent, with proper caution it could have been prevented. This absence of caution shows a lack of appreciation for the true value of human life. The leadership must take responsibility for the nation’s shortcomings and failures.
The Talmud explains that the two-and-a-half tribes in the trans-Jordanian side of Israel had the same amount of cities as the nine-and-a-half tribes in the mainland, because there were more murders committed on that side of the Jordan. Although only accidental murderers fled to the cities of refuge, in a society where murder is commonplace, a coarseness towards human life develops and they are more prone to accidents and mishaps, too.
“According to what comes from his mouth he should do...” (Num. 30:3)
A Jew came to Rav Yehuda Tzadka to seek his blessing. In the course of conversation he mentioned that his children attended a public school, explaining that they received a better education there.
Rav Tzadka asked the man, “Tell me, if you were offered the best school for your children, but they would curse your father there each day. Would you send your children to that school?”
The man was horrified. “Of course not!”
“And if they learn to belittle our Father in Heaven, is that any different?” the Rav exclaimed.
The father couldn’t respond, but he wouldn’t give up either, claiming that the physical conditions at the Torah school were inadequate, whereas the public school had an excellent facility.
Rav Tzadka smiled. “That problem was addressed thousands of years ago. The tribes of Reuven and Gad claimed they needed pasture for their animals and cities for their children. Moshe corrected them that their priorities were confused. One must first be concerned about the spiritual needs of his children before he concerns himself with physical needs.”
Did You Know...
During the Nine Days before Tisha B’Av, one may not eat meat, fowl, wine, grape juice, or even any mixture in which these foods can be tasted. On Shabbos one is permitted to eat meat and drink wine. Even if one accepts Shabbos earlier, before sunset, he is permitted to eat meat. However, if one wishes to feed the children before Shabbos begins, he may not feed them meat.
Most authorities do not permit eating meat after Shabbos for Melava Malka either. For Havdalah after Shabbos, it is preferable to either drink beer, or give the wine or grape juice to a young child to drink. If neither of these is an option, an adult may also drink the Havdalah wine.
