R'uvein and Gad approached Moshe Rabbeinu requesting TransJordan. When Moshe acquiesced, he added Hatzi Shevet M'nasheh. Why?
Below is a an answer based upon the structure of the Tribes throughout Sefer Bamidbar - here is that dynamic at work
When Levi drops out of the "tribes" a shuffle occurs in Parshas Bamidbar, Nasso, B'haalot'cha. *
1. Gad is promoted to Honorary Ben Leah, camping with R'uvein and Shim'on
2. Yosef is divided into Two, Ephraim and M'nasheh to restore the number to 12
The 4 camps now are structured as follows
East - 3 from Leah
South - 2 from Leah plus Gad
West - 3 from Rachel
North - 3 from the "sh'fachot" - 1 from Zilpah, 2 from Bilhah
Levi was now in a circle inside
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When R'uvein and Gad chose TransJordan, then we have
20% of Leah
25% of the Sh'fachot
0% of Rachel
To Remedy this Moshe takes 1/2 of M'nasheh which comprises about 25% of Rachel - thereby restoring a balance of Imahot. [Counting Bilhah/Zilpah as a unit]
Why M'nasheh and not Ephraim? I'm not sure - but perhaps it is since he is the b'chor and so are R'uvein and Gad.
-------------------
* Note whenever Levi IS counted in the 12, Joseph is reunited.
Shalom,
RRW
Showing posts with label Maatot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maatot. Show all posts
Saturday, 11 July 2020
Parsha: Matot/Maasei, "How did Hatzi Shevet Menashe Get There?"
The tribes of Gad and Reuven approach Moshe about staying in East Jordan...
- Bamidbar: 32
Question: how did the "half-tribe of Menashe" get in the picture? Why Menashe and not another tribe?
I have a surprise answer....
...OK...
clear your minds.
I taught a parsha class for many years at Congregation Mt Sinai in Washington Heights. I found that many of the tribal dynamics had to do with the Matriarchs, Jacob's four wives. I don't have the time or space to explain it all now, but use that as a prism for viewing these inter-tribal dynamics. Now apply that here.
Rachel
Now take a loot at the proportions:
Leah gave birth to six sons. However, Levi didn't receive any land, leaving five to inherit the land of Israel. So Reuven is about 20% of of the inheriting sons of Leah. Gad is about 25% of the maidservants' children.
What's needed? 20-25% of Rachel's children. Half the tribe of Menasseh is about 12.5 to 20% depending on how you compute the population. Shevet Menasseh is much larger than either Shevet Ephraim or Shevet Benjamin.
So Moses' agenda was to assert a matriarchal balance over East-Jordan. Half (or part of) Menasseh did the trick
Proof?
None
Hint?
Look at the configuration of the tribes in pasrshiot Bamidbar and Beha'alotecha. The tribes march along according to matriarch - except one. Gad, who is promoted to replace Levi along with Reuven and Shim'on.
This model "suggests" the Torah had a matriarchal proportion re: tribe vs tribe. Since half-Menasseh seems to jump out of nowhere, I simply plugged them in. Voila! It conformed to a an existing model.
Shalom,
RRW
- Bamidbar: 32
Question: how did the "half-tribe of Menashe" get in the picture? Why Menashe and not another tribe?
I have a surprise answer....
...OK...
clear your minds.
I taught a parsha class for many years at Congregation Mt Sinai in Washington Heights. I found that many of the tribal dynamics had to do with the Matriarchs, Jacob's four wives. I don't have the time or space to explain it all now, but use that as a prism for viewing these inter-tribal dynamics. Now apply that here.
- Reuven, one of Leah's sons.
- Gad, one of the two maidservants' sons. (Zilpah)
Rachel
Now take a loot at the proportions:
Leah gave birth to six sons. However, Levi didn't receive any land, leaving five to inherit the land of Israel. So Reuven is about 20% of of the inheriting sons of Leah. Gad is about 25% of the maidservants' children.
What's needed? 20-25% of Rachel's children. Half the tribe of Menasseh is about 12.5 to 20% depending on how you compute the population. Shevet Menasseh is much larger than either Shevet Ephraim or Shevet Benjamin.
So Moses' agenda was to assert a matriarchal balance over East-Jordan. Half (or part of) Menasseh did the trick
Proof?
None
Hint?
Look at the configuration of the tribes in pasrshiot Bamidbar and Beha'alotecha. The tribes march along according to matriarch - except one. Gad, who is promoted to replace Levi along with Reuven and Shim'on.
This model "suggests" the Torah had a matriarchal proportion re: tribe vs tribe. Since half-Menasseh seems to jump out of nowhere, I simply plugged them in. Voila! It conformed to a an existing model.
Shalom,
RRW
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