The Portion of Matot-Solidarity The Children of Israel are ready to enter the Promised Land. The tribes of Reuven and Gad have amassed a large amount of possessions, especially with regards to sheep and cattle. The conquest of part of the land east of the Jordan River, ample territory for the grazing of Reuven and Gad's large flocks, has been successfully completed. The two tribes turn to Moses and ask his permission to remain where they are and not to cross the Jordan with the other tribes. Moses responds in anger: "Your brothers will go to war and you will remain here!?" (Numbers 32;6) The tribes of Reuven and Gad respond to Moses with an improved offer: "We will prepare a place for our flocks and our children and they will remain here. We, however, will join our brothers in the conquest and settlement of the land and then and only then will we return to our homes." The Torah alludes to the return of the two tribes to their homes in the letters "nun" which is written in a unique manner in the words "nevne l'miknainu" (we will build for our flocks) (Numbers 32;16)
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