Mattot Masse - Laibl's Weekly Torah Vignette

Mattot-Massei (Sat. 30th July/2nd Av)
Don’t Just Listen – Hear!
Laibl's Weekly Torah Vignette
Notes:
• In this week’s double Parsha of Mattot/Massei the people of Israel are about to wage war to fulfil their inheritance of the Promised Land. All systems are go, when two of the tribes seem to baulk and say they want to stay where they are, on the eastern side of the Jordan river.
• Moses, fearing that word of their reluctance to join the fray might cause great loss of heart amongst the people, especially since one of these tribes Gad had the most fearless warriors. Moses rebukes these tribes quite severely.
• But it’s all a misunderstanding. They explain that they are fully prepared to fight with their brothers, but that they simply want to first settle their womenfolk, children and cattle on the east side, as that land there is so suitable for the agricultural needs.
• We learn an important lesson here.  The way we hear people is all too often shaped by our own fears and concerns.  We hear what we want to hear, or what we fear most.  It is so important that we listen carefully and see things through the eyes of the speaker. That way the true intent can be discerned and misunderstandings can be avoided.
• It is not enough to simply listen.  We need to actually hear what is being conveyed, as the words alone might not convey the full intent. That is why in the Shema, the word Shema does  not mean ‘listen’, but actually to ‘hear’, so a true understanding can take place.
• Don’t just listen – actually hear what is being said –even behind the words themselves.

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