Expansion

In this week’s Torah portion, we learn that after the Jews conquered the nations that inhabited the east bank of the Jordan River, two of the tribes requested to remain on the east bank rather than continue to Israel’s mainland with the other Jews. Their reason was that they owned a large number of sheep, and this land was good grazing land. 

Moses was angry. He argued that the other Jews would infer that the real reason that Reuben and Gad would not continue onto Israel was because they were frightened of being killed by the powerful Canaanites. That fear would spread, and soon all the Jews would panic and refuse to settle in Israel.

Reuben and Gad promised to join the other Jews on their journey into Israel, and even to lead the Jewish army in conquering the land. Only after the other Jews were securely settled would they return to their land on the east bank. Moses accepted their pledge, and he gave them the land. 

The Torah tells us that the Land of Israel was intended to expand over time to encompass the surrounding lands. In the era of the Messiah, the holiness of the Land of Israel will encompass the entire earth!

The purpose of the expansion is that the spiritual values that Israel embodies will eventually inspire people around the world.

Israel was intended to be a country where Jews could take the noble ideas about life contained in the Torah and translate them into real life.

Reuben and Gad made a first stride in spreading the holiness of Israel to the outside by converting the east bank of the Jordan River into part of the Holy Land. It is up to us to continue that job. If we will be model human beings and good Jews, we too will spread "the mindset of Israel" and be an inspiration to the entire world.

Shabbat Shalom!

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