Together, Apart

An exploration of the historical request of Reuven, Gad and Menashe as described in Parashas Matos

It is the season of aliyah to Israel. Many families have dreamed of aliyah for years and are now experiencing their dreams. Many others are comfortable where they are and aliyah would not be beneficial for them given their current circumstances. Are they wrong?

Perek 32 of Sefer Bamidbar describes the request of Reuven and Gad to settle in the territory of Sichon and Og, which was outside of Eretz Yisrael.

I would like to explore the relationship between Reuven and Gad as well as possible reasons why they may want to live apart from the rest of the Jewish people. I also would like to explore whether there is anything wrong with being comfortable where you are and not making aliyah, given the opportunity. 

The Torah describes that the children of Reuven and Gad were cattle herders and had a large amount of cattle. They requested to Moshe that they have the lands of Gilead and Yeazer which they had just conquered from Sichan and Og as it was perfect pasture for the cattle. 

Moshe got very n…