As Bnei Yisroel were poised to enter Eretz Yisroel, the tribes of Reuven and Gad set their sights on the recently conquered eastern bank of the Jordan. It was a fertile land that would be ideal for grazing their large flocks. They petitioned Moshe to be given this land as instead of their portion in Eretz Yisrael.
Moshe was angered by their request and harshly rebuked them. The commentaries suggest different explanations for why Moshe became so angered. Some suggest that it was because the were turning away from the Holy Land of Eretz Yisrael and choosing to live in Chutz Laaretz. Further, they were doing this because of their desire for material success, prioritising this over holiness.
Other commentators explain that Moshe thought that they were afraid of battle, showing a lack of Bitachon in Hashem. Their fear in battle, particularly the tribe of Gad who were known to be warriors, would sow fear in the hearts of the rest of the people and discourage them from wanting to enter the land.
This is why Moshe likened the actions of Bnei Gad and Reuven to the spies. With their reports of the formidable Canaanite nations, with giants and fortified cities, the spies frightened the Jewish people who refused to enter the Land, resulting in the 40 years of wandering in the desert.
And finally, Moshe questioned their very morality, asking; האחיכם יבואו למלחמה ואתם תשבו פה , “Will your brothers go out to war and you sit here?” How could it be that your fellow Jews will go out in battle to conquer the Holy Land, risking their lives, and you will dwell comfortably in Chutz Laaretz?
Accepting Moshe’s rebuke, the tribes of Reuven and Gad declared that before they would settle in the comfort of the Eiver Hayarden, they would go out to fight together with the tribes entering the Land and lead from the front. A number of times they use the words לפני ה‘, “before Hashem”, to show that they did have Bitachon that they would be victorious.
Moshe accepted their proposal and allowed them to take their inheritance on the other side of the river. But then strangely, Moshe adds half of the tribe of Menashe to join them on the eastern bank.
The commentaries grapple with this. Menashe did not ask to settle on the eastern bank, why were they included? Further, after Moshe’s rebuke to Bnei Gad and Reuven, why would he ‘relegate’ more of Bnei Yisrael to settle outside of the borders of the Holy Land? And why only half of the tribe of Menashe?
