By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov
n this parasha, we see after benei Israel took over the other side of the Jordan river by defeating two superpower nations, the tribes of Reuben and Gad came to Moshe Rabienu and asked to settle down in Transjordan and not to settle in the Land of Israel.
Of course they meant that they would give up their portion in the land and instead would only get land on the other side of Israel that was just annexed. Moshe Rabeinu got very upset, but they assured him that all the males would enter Israel to participate in war with Israel’s enemies while their wives and children would stay behind.
Moshe Rabbeinu accepted the offer. Midrash says indeed the males did go to Israel to fight in wars with Israel’s enemies and stayed for 14 years until the completion of the war and designation of the lands to the rest of tribes. After 14 years, they went back to their wives and children. Midrash continues that they could not recognize their children because they looked like other nations, which long hair and dressed like them . Because their fathers were not there to train them in the Jewish way of life, they were influenced by their neighbors
After 14 years they realized what a big mistake they made. They sold their children spirituality for the sake of a better piece of land.
Unfortunately, we also make these kinds of mistakes. When we are not ready to spend money on our kids’ spirituality or when we prefer to work more and do not have enough time to spend with kids we are repeating their sin.
May Hashem help us to have our priorities right.