Parshas Matos Maasei: Is it Fair
ויתן להם משה לבני גד ולבני ראובן ולחצי שבט מנשה בן יוסף את ממלכת סיחן מלך האמרי ואת ממלכת עוג מלך הבשן הארץ לעריה בגבלת ערי הארץ סביב
Moshe gave to them—to the tribe of Gad, to the tribe of Reuvein and to half the tribe of Menashe son of Yosef—the empire of Sichon, king of the Emorites and the empire of Og, king of the Bashan, the land along with the cities within their borders, even the cities of the surrounding land. (32:33)
The tribe of Menashe was not mentioned previously as expressing a desire to take their own inheritance on the eastern side of the Yarden. The meforshim wonder why suddenly after thirty-one pesukim do we first hear about their involvement?
The Ramban explains that after Moshe apportioned the Land to Gad and Reuven, he saw that it was a larger land than what was appropriate for them (not being able to fully populate the land would leave it open to wild animals and invaders). So Moshe asked if there was anyone else who wanted to share the land with them. These were the people of Menashe who perhaps were also men of cattle, and he gave them their share.
Ibn Ezra argues that they had been involved all along but the possuk did not mention them until now because they were not a complete shevet.
he Netziv offers that Moshe sent part of Menashe so that there would be Bnai Torah there. This also teaches us that as a manhig, Moshe was not only concerned that the land be suitable for them physically but also spiritually.
Similarly, Ksav V’hakabala writes that Moshe sent them so that they would remain connected to Klal Yisroel, thus keeping them “on the derech.” Moshe was not worried for the spiritual safety of Menashe outside of Eretz Yisroel, because the chinuch that Menashe received from Yosef in Mitzrayim already included the ability to live as a strong Yid in Chutz L’aretz.
The Mikdash Halevi suggests that the desire of Menashe for the land of Eretz Yisroel was so strong (see Rashi to 27:1) that when they saw Gad and Reuvein accepting land in the Eiver HaYarden, they understood that this land would receive a level of holiness as well. Being that it was the very first area that they laid their feet upon, they cherished it so much and wanted it. Accordingly, we understand why initially they were not mentioned as desiring the lands. It was only after they saw that Gad and Reuvain would receive there, that they also wanted it.
According to these last three answers, we now understand as well why there were no conditions placed upon Menashe, as opposed to Gad and Reuvain. Moshe was worried that Gad and Reuvain wanted the land for all the wrong reasons. But because Menashe was coming there for ruchnios reasons, Moshe was not concerned.
Finally, the Midrash (Rabba 84,20) writes that Menashe caused the brothers to tear their garments when he chased after them and removed the goblet from Binyomin’s sack, thus causing them much grief. Therefore, his own inheritance was torn in half as well. Half would be in Eretz Yisroel and the other half in Ever HaYarden. There is a powerful lesson to be learned from this midrash. Many people may have been watching Moshe Rabbeinu with questions:
How can he split up families? Why is it even fair? They would have had no idea that there was a background story from a few hundred years earlier that caused it to happen. When we see things happening, we must strengthen our Emunah in Hashem, trusting with perfect faith that Hashem has a perfect cheshbon and everything is fair. הצור תמים פעלו כי כל דרכיו משפט א-ל אמונה ואין עול צדיק וישר הוא- Hashem’s works are flawless, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness without injustice; righteous and upright is He.
Good Shabbos, מרדכי אפפעל