Parashat Devarim - Seventh Aliyah

In this aliyah Moshe continues to describe the division of the eastern side of the Jordan among the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and half the tribe of Menasheh. This is a concrete division of geographic regions, from the Gilad to the Arnon stream, eastward to the Jordan, and down to the Dead Sea in the south. The boundaries are detailed with precision, and they mark the beginning of the actual settlement of tribes in the promised land.

At the same time, it is clear that cooperation between the tribes is a central condition: although the tribes of Reuven and Gad receive their inheritance already now, they are required to cross over as vanguard before the rest of the tribes in the war over the inheritance of the western land. Only after their brothers’ inheritance is realized will they be able to return and settle peacefully in their own.

At the close of the aliyah comes a special charge to Yehoshua son of Nun, Moshe’s successor, to be strong and not to fear the kings he is destined to meet along the way. Moshe reminds him of what God did to Sichon and to Og, and thereby gives him confidence for the future: “ken ya’aseh Adonai lechol hamamlachot… lo tira’um… Adonai Eloheichem hu hanilcham lachem” (so shall the Lord do to all the kingdoms… do not fear them… the Lord your God, He is the one who fights for you, Deuteronomy 3:21-22).

A thought for life: sometimes a person feels they have already reached their destination, they have an inheritance, quiet, stability. But the Torah teaches that we must care for others too, to cross over “chalutzim… lifnei acheichem” (as vanguard… before your brothers, Deuteronomy 3:18). Whoever is already in a safe place carries the responsibility to help others get there. And even when a hard task is placed upon us, we can stand in it knowing that God is the one who fights for us, and our part is to be there, to strengthen ourselves and to act, with giving, responsibility, and faith.