As an American living in Toronto, I could not have been anymore proud as when the United States Women’s soccer team made it to the World Cup Finals only to lose in penalty kicks to Japan. As an American living in Canada, I could not be any more disgusted as I watch a group of first year congressman and woman play chicken with the United States economy, the world economies, and the United States credit rating. Thankfully I am living here in Toronto. Sadly, this political game with the debt ceiling, and budget deficits, will hurt financial markets, the American people and negatively affect the economies throughout the world. Equally as sad is the apparent divisions within the United States when it comes to the role of government. This division is so powerful that it truly threatens the governability of has been the bastion of freedom for many generations. This division of states is routinely symbolized between Red states and Blue states. Red States tend to be the Southeast, Midwest and Western states. The Blue states tend to be the Northeast, the West Coast, the Pacific North West, and some states in the industrial Midwest. The assumption is that Red States tent to be culturally conservative while blue states tend to be culturally liberal. Red States, those dominated by the Republican Party tend to be anti-abortion, pro-life, pro-family, pro-small government and pro-Christian right. Blue States, those dominated by the Democratic Party, tend to be pro-choice, pro-government, and tend to avoid the Christian right. With this clear dichotomy in mind, it is quite revealing that the states with the highest rates of divorce are Red States, in the west and south east. And the states with the lowest rates of divorce are those bastions of Northeast liberalism: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Sociologists point to the link between education and divorce rates as well as these more culturally liberal states tend to acknowledge and deal with problems in a way that is quite different from other states.
This Shabbat, we read from parsha Maasei. It is the final Parsha of Sefer BaMidbar. Maasei begins with Moshe’s recording of all the places that Bnai Yisroel had traveled during the course of its 40 years of wandering. Moshe makes the final preparations for Bnai Yisroel’s entrance into Eretz Canaan: including the establishment of national and tribal boundaries. Also, Moshe gives his decision to the Daughters of Zelophchad (Parshat Pinchas) who have inherited their father’s tribal holdings. Moshe informs Bnai Yisroel of inter tribal marriage while simultaneously retaining the integrity of tribal boundaries. Also six cities of refuge are established for those individuals who have committed manslaughter, (and accidental death) and are fleeing the avenging family member.
It is interesting to note that west of the Jordan River; three cities of refuge are established and east of the Jordan River, three other cities of refuge are established. However, west of the Jordan, there were 9 ½ tribes requiring only 3 cities of refuge. East of the Jordan there were 2 ½ tribes requiring 3 cities of refuge. On a per capita basis, more cities of refuge were needed for the 2 ½ tribes that did not enter into the land. Eit Shalosh Heh’Arim Asher Titeinu Sheish Arei Miklat Hihyehnah Lachem. Eit Shalosh Heh’Arim Titnu Mei’eiver La’Yarden V’Eit Shalosh He’Arim Titnu B’Eretz Canaan Arei Miklat Tiheyehnah – As to the cities that you shall designate, there shall be six cities of refuge for you. Three cities shall you designate on the other side of the Jordan, and three cities shall you designate in the land of Canaan; they shall be cities of refuge (Num. 35:13-14). The Talmudic Sages in Tractate Makot 9b infer that killing was more commonplace on the east bank, so that despite its smaller population more cities of refuge were required.
Remember that these 2 ½ tribes were the tribes that wished to remain east of the Jordan River because the grazing lands were plentiful. These were the tribes that demonstrated greater concern for the expressions of wealth (cattle), than their children’s place within the tribal covenant. While many of us can easily identify with a group that wishes to become financially better off for the sake of the children, these 2 ½ tribes did so at the expense of their children. The Midrash teaches us that these 2 ½ tribes were the first to become assimilated and disappear. Meanwhile the majority of the tribes were able to create a society that, on a per capita basis, had little need for cities of refuge. These tribes seem to have a common sense of purpose and mission. These tribes understood that the more educated the people, the better the chance of passing the covenant to the next generation, the greater the possibility of maintaining the values of a holy nation. Indeed, the secret to our survival has been and will continue to be our desire and effort to remain a holy nation. This can only be accomplished through Jewish education and Jewish engagement of the Jewish community.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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