“They approached him (Moshe) and said, ‘Pens for the flock shall we build here for our livestock, and cities for our small children.” (32:16)
How often is it that we might reveal our shortcomings to others, while we ourselves stay blissfully ignorant of our true selves? A slip of the tongue often speaks louder than an amplifier in the red on 11.
The tribes of Reuven and Gad were blessed with large flocks. Recognizing that the terrain on the east bank of the Jordan was ideal for cattle grazing, they petitioned Moshe for this to be their share of the Land.
The Midrash says that their request to Moshe betrayed a somewhat materialistic orientation. In the order of their priorities, ‘pens for the flock’ preceded ‘cities for our small children.’ Moshe, in his response, subtly corrected their priorities: “Build cities for your small children and pens for your flocks...” Children first.
It seems that Moshe’s subtle rebuke had its effect, for they replied, “Our small children, our wives, our livestock and all our animals will be there in the cities of Gilead.” (32:26)
Nevertheless, this Midrash appears difficult to understand. How could it be that Reuven and Gad, two of the tribes, two of the progenitors of the holy nation of Yisrael – how could they seemingly have been more concerned with their own possessions than about their children?
We should never make the mistake of comparing our own failings to the perceived failings of our holy ancestors. Their smallest ‘slip’ would, in our hands, appear like a jewel of a mitzvah! On their spiritual level, the children of Reuven and Gad were considered overly materialistic, but if they were walking around today, they would seem so spiritual as to be scarcely part of the planet.
