Matot-Masei: A Tough Border to Cross

It's hard to put ourselves out for someone else. We do it occasionally, and for small, measured amounts of time, effort, and money, but it can

be really tough to go a step further. We need a vested interest, a stake, a carrot; some reason to make it worth our while to help another. And quite honestly, the Torah knows this. It understands human nature, even when it's uncomfortable for you and me to admit this out loud. The Torah doesn't shy away from saying so. It sometimes speaks in terms of ideals and lofty goals, but it also isn't afraid to get down in the trenches and shed light on the real, base, imperfect, and selfish emotions that make us human beings. So let's go there for a minute, shall we? Let's follow the Torah down one of those rabbit holes and talk about what selfishness looks like.

In our Torah portion, the final one of the fourth Book of the Torah, Numbers, Moses faces a challenge. The leaders of two-and-a-half tribes (the Torah never explains why Menashe split in half; just go with it...) approach Moses and ask for a

BIG favor. You see, towards the end of the wanderings of the Israelites through the desert, they have found themselves now inside modern-day Jordan, preparing to cross the famous river and conquer the Holy Land. And Reuben, Gad, and 50% of Menashe don't want to cross the Jordan. They like the land on the other side; they want to stay there. Moses is incensed! "Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here???" (Num. 32:6) Moses HATES this idea. It's selfish and self-serving. We've only been wandering for 40 years for this EXACT purpose, to conquer Canaan; sure, just give up when we're right at the border!!

But the tribes remain undeterred. They offer a deal to try and persuade Moses. They'll leave their families and flocks in Jordan, but will send troops to fight with their brethren and conquer the land. Only when

everything has been captured will they then return home. Moses (surprisingly) agrees. And what's even more astonishing (in my opinion anyway...) is that God is never consulted. God makes no appearance in this confrontation. I guess the text is telling us this is primarily a human issue. And I think you and I can truly relate. We too are tempted to put our families and our finances ahead of the interests of the collective good. And, conversely, we get angry - like Moses - when we see others acting this way. Ultimately, the main challenge for us all to consider is whether we could repeat the two surprising behaviors demonstrated by these tribes.

First, would you be able to see yourself as honestly as they do? They don't deny Moses' accusation. They don't protest. "Yeah, you're right. Our request IS self-serving. You caught us." They accept, as we all should, that OF COURSE they put their children and their own interests first. Admitting that allows you to

move to step two with greater honesty, integrity, and self-understanding. And step two, obviously, is challenging yourself to rise above that. As we approach the High Holidays, look back at the year that was, and ask yourself if you ever really put yourself out for someone else. Did you focus on the needs of another before your own? Let's face it: That is not our natural way. And that's ok. But we can PUSH ourselves outside our comfort zone and be just a little bit more inconvenienced. The Torah, and God, sees us for who we are. But it also sees what we COULD be, and has great hopes and dreams for all of us. The trick is, are we willing to see those things too? Are we willing to see what we look like, down in the trenches? And then - perhaps scarier still - are we willing to picture what we could become? Two tough questions we each must answer for ourselves.

Photos in this blog post:
1. CC image courtesy of Rowanwindwhistler on Wikimedia Commons
2. CC photo "Jordan and the Promised Land" courtesy of Dzlinker on Wikimedia Commons
3. CC image courtesy of Matanya on Wikimedia Commons
4. CC image courtesy of Matanya onWikimedia Commons