At first glance, the first verses seem to be unrelated, even random in their juxtaposition to the rest of the prasha. Rabbi Avraham Gordimer suggests that the openings verses regarding nedarim come to set the tone for the remainder of the parsha. The underlying theme, he suggests, is the importance of honoring one’s commitments, being true to one’s words and loyal to their beliefs both to Hashem and to each other.
Following the very detailed laws of nedarim, vows, Hashem commands Moshe to lead to the Jewish people in the war against Midian: Take revenge for the children of Israel against the Midianites; afterwards you will be gathered to your people (31:2). Based on the enigmatic words in the second part of this verse, Chazal explain that Moshe’s death was contingent upon his leading the Jews to victory in this particular war.
Moshe’s behavior in response to this command displays his incredible commitment to dvar Hashem and to the Jewish people. Moshe knew that once the Jews were victorious against Midian, they would conquer the land and his death would follow shortly thereafter (this was the last battle before the Jews would then settle into the land and it had been decreed that Moshe would not enter with them). Nonetheless, being a man loyal to the will of Hashem and to the good of the people, Moshe quickly and valiantly led the nation to battle and ultimately to victory against Midian.
Moshe understood that each of us is given purpose and missions in our lives to strive for and to achieve. For Moshe, to live without reaching towards those goals is not to live at all. We can then understand and appreciate even more that Moshe was willing to give up his life in order to truly live.
Given that Moshe's perspective was to live life completely dedicated to following the Divine will and helping other members of Klal Yisrael, we can better understand his quick response to the famous request of Reuven and Gad to remain on the other end of the Jordan River: "Your brothers will go to war and you will remain here?" (32:6) Moshe could not fathom that these tribes would consider separating themselves from the nation and dislodging themselves from their responsibilities to the klal. Indeed Moshe grants the request only on the condition that the tribes first help the other tribes conquer the land.
Moshe’s perspective is reflected in his words to these tribes later one when he say: So build yourselves cities for your children and enclosures for your sheep, and what has proceeded from your mouth you shall do (32:24). Quite notably Moshe reversed the words of the request that first stated the shelters would be built for the cattle and then for the children. Moshe's subtle nuanced response reminded them that that their priority should be to protect their children before their cattle - life is not merely about strategizing the best ways to accumulate wealth (in those days dependent on the cattle that the tribes speak of) - our physical needs should never take precedence over our spiritual needs - and our neshamot (souls) thrive when we are committed to protecting and helping others.
As we read about the final mission of Moshe’s life, we learn a most important lesson about the value of our lives – as our greatest teacher and role model reminds us that we are truly living life to its fullest when we do so with a spiritual purpose - both in terms of our relationship with G-d and with others.
This week I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a program that dedicates itself to spreading this very notion that life with a purpose is a life worth living. The organization – Kids Kicking Cancer - run by Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg empowers children of all ages with chronic disease and illness by giving them a purpose. These kids are trained in marshal art techniques to deal with and live through their pain and provide them with the opportunity to help others by teaching to do the same. True stories of children fighting and surviving against the odds because they have a mission to help others teaches us so poignantly the same lesson that Moshe teaches in our parsha: living with a purpose is a life worth living.
To see more about these most inspiring kids (and I suggest you do – it is far more inspiring than any words I can put onto the page), visit the website: http://powerpeacepurpose.com/heroes-circle/video-heroes
I hope we can internalize this invaluable lesson and let it affect our own purposes, perspectives, and priorities as we continue to live our own lives. Shabbat Shalom, Taly
