סימן ק"ד

Siman One Hundred and Fourסימן קד There is a Midrash — and so on — that they wanted to take a portion in the land as well. And in the language of the Companions' manuscript it states there: as is brought in tractate Kiddushin. But in truth: in tractate Kiddushin there is nothing to be found about this. And on the contrary: the Scripture states explicitly that they said: [Numbers 32] "do not bring us across the Jordan." And similarly afterwards they said: "for we will not inherit with them across the Jordan and beyond." Therefore it seems in my humble opinion: the meaning is that they did not despise, G-d forbid, settling in Eretz Yisrael — as Moshe suspected them of being like the spies who discouraged the heart of the children of Israel from coming to the land. Rather on the contrary: settling in Eretz Yisrael was also very precious to them. And they also wanted to take a portion in the land. Only: the very great and numerous flocks that they had compelled them to ask Moshe to give them their inheritance across the Jordan. It follows that they were compelled in the matter — and are not considered as those who have no G-d — G-d forbid. And this is what they said: [Numbers 32] "for our inheritance has come to us across the Jordan — to the east." As if to say: certainly we also would have preferred to receive our portion in Eretz Yisrael itself. But what can we do — for the cause of the great flocks brought it about that our inheritance has come to us from across the Jordan to the east. And this is what Rabbainu wrote: that they wanted to take a portion in the land as well. As it is known: the language here is the language of the Companions. And therefore the language here is somewhat inverted — and it is as if it is written: that they also wanted to take a portion in the land — only the compulsion of the flocks brought it upon them. And what he wrote: as is brought in tractate Kiddushin — the meaning is: for there in Kiddushin, p. 61 — it is elaborated: that what Moshe elaborated at length — that if the armed men do not cross with them — and [their families] will settle among them in the land of Canaan — this was for their benefit. For otherwise one might have thought that they lost their inheritance across the Jordan. And also that they would not receive a portion in Eretz Yisrael either. And see Rashi who explained: that they were displeased with it [Eretz Yisrael] because of their great flocks. And Tosafos explained: that they removed themselves from it. And since Moshe our teacher worked for their benefit — so that they would not lose their portion in Eretz Yisrael if they did not cross before their brothers — it is automatically understood: that afterwards he understood their intention and ultimate opinion — that they did not despise, G-d forbid, settling in Eretz Yisrael — on the contrary — as above.