In last week’s Parsha we read how the daughters of Tzelofchad came before Moshe and the elders to demand that they be able to inherit their deceased father’s portion in Eretz Yisroel. At a time when the men had spurned the Holy Land, asking to return to Egypt, these five women demonstrated a great love of the Land and a desire to dwell there.
The Torah traces their lineage as being the daughters of Tzelofchad son back to Menashe, son of Yosef. Despite having reached the pinnacle of financial success, Yosef yearned for the Holy Land. His dying wish was that he eventually be brought to burial in the holy soil of Eretz Yisrael.
Yosef’s great love of the Land even while in Egypt, was encapsulated in the name given to his firstborn son, Menashe. Yosef explained the significance of this name; for G-d has caused me to forget (nashani)... my father’s home. Menashe reflected Yosef’s desire to retain his connection to his ancestral homeland.
This love was passed down from generation to generation. This was the love which motivated the daughters of Tzelophchad in their demand.
Menashe, said Moshe, would live on the eastern bank of the Jordan to ensure that the Jews of Chutz Laaretz would retain their love and longing for Eretz Yisroel.
In his commentary, the Shach writes that the reason for having half of Menashe in Eretz Yisrael and half in Eiver Hayarden, was; שלא תשתכח האחוה - so that the brotherly love not be forgotten. Having the single tribe of Menashe span both sides of the Jordan shows that the Jews of Chutz Laaretz and Eretz Yisroel remain one people; united in our love of one another and united in our love of Eretz Yisroel.
Over the last 300 days, as our brothers and sisters fight a war against the evil terror regimes that attacked the Holy Land and its inhabitants, we who live in the comfort of Chutz Laaretz have not forgotten our brotherly love and connection. We felt the pain of the lost lives of the Shemini Atzeres attack and the hostages taken from their homes. We feel the loss of every heroic soldier. With our prayers, Tehillim, Tzedaka, extra Mitzvos and Bitachon along with protests and missions, we hope to give strength and draw down protection for our people and our soldiers in Eretz Yisrael.
May we have an immediate and complete victory over our enemies and our captives safely returned. A may we see the realisation of the time when Hashem will extend our borders (of which Eiver Hayarden was the start) and we will live in peace and tranquillity.
