Parashat Mattot-Maseh 2025
Rabbi Cy Stanway – Shir Shalom – Gainesville Florida
Mattot: Let them Eat Brioche is not a Negotiation
July 25 – Gainesville
Rabbi Cy Stanway
You all know the expression; two Jews, three opinions. It usually elicits a chuckle because we know its true. Jews seem to occupy something of a Twilight Zone in their opinions, holding one opinion and then other one at exactly the same time. To the outsider, it makes no sense. To the Jew, it is part of the DNA. No, I can’t explain it and, yes, I experience it all the time. Perhaps it comes from the osmosis that comes from one generation to the next that Jews question everything and that a question gives rise to an answer that gives rise to another question that gives rise to a completely different answer. The locus classicus of this is the Talmud. Yes, it is authoritative and, yes, Jewish law and practice is derived from it. But one glance into the text and you will see so many different opinions not just from different rabbis but from the same rabbi. Yep, on the pages of our greatest literary accomplishment, you have one rabbi arguing with himself. That’s not schizophrenia or split-personality disorder: it is Jewish mind 101.
Trying to find a resolution to an issue, any issue, is really difficult. Especially these days where not everything is simply black and white but has devolved into good and evil. One half the country believes the other half is the epitome of evil. Our political leaders don’t help the situation. In fact, a good argument can be made that they make it worse and thrive off of the disunity. Frankly, all of them need to understand this week’s parasha from a Jewish perspective. They would learn an awful lot.
Our portion has a story of a masterclass in making peace when there is great division that can rile up and divide a society. This is the story in a nutshell: The Israelites were on the last stage of their journey to the Promised Land. They were now camping on the east bank of the Jordan, literally within sight of the Land of Israel. Two of the tribes, Reuben and Gad, who had large herds and flocks of cattle, were having misgivings, though. They felt that the land they have been cultivating for several years now was perfect for them and they didn’t feel they needed to go help conquer the Land since their needs were already fulfilled.
So they approached Moses and asked for permission to stay there. Here is what they said: “If we have found favour in your eyes, let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan” – I like that, ‘Don’t make us cross the Jordan’ – as they try to frame themselves as the victims. Moses saw right through it.
These two tribes were putting their own interests above those of the nation as a whole. They would be seen as abandoning their people at the very time they were needed most. Moses said to them, “Really, are you kidding me?! Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here? Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the Lord has given them?” (Num. 32:6-7). The proposal was potentially disastrous. And to follow up with that kind of disastrous opting out, Moses reminded them of what had happened with the 10 of the 12 spies came back from Canaan and brought fear to the Israelites and cried how the Jews could not conquer the Land because, as they said, ‘We are grasshoppers in the eyes of these giants.’ Pretty dispiriting.
And then Moses goes for the jugular: Jewish guilt.
He says, “And here you are, a brood of sinners, standing in the place of your fathers and making the Lord even more angry with Israel. If you turn away from following Him, He will again leave all this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction.” (Num. 32:14-15) Moses was blunt, honest and confrontational – and it worked.
And this is where Moses’ leadership truly shone. And it wasn’t because of a threat imposed by Moses. Moses knew threats worked only at the beginning but soon become boring, repetitive and expected. And they ultimately change nothing but bring resentment roaring to the surface. No, Moses shared the common vision for the Jewish people.
The tribes understood Moses’ moral concern and the concern for the whole people of Israel. And they agree with him. So, they propose a compromise: Let us make provisions for our cattle and our families, they say, and the men will then accompany the other tribes across the Jordan. They will fight alongside them. They will even go ahead of them. They will not return to their cattle and families until all the battles have been fought, the land has been conquered, and the other tribes have received their inheritance. Everyone wins. We get what we need and you get what you need. And, should the day ever come when you doubt our sincerity, we will show you that we are still and always people of integrity. And that, indeed, did happen, but that is for another sermon.
Moses showed us what real leadership is. It is not a decree coming from on high. That may have a short term effect but ultimately leads to revolution. Marie Antionette is falsely credited with saying, “Let them eat brioche” (Qu’ils mangent de la brioche)” – sometimes translated as ‘Let them eat cake.’ She was said to have said this when she was told the peasants have no bread. She ended up with her head in a bucket. The end of all despots.
Moses showed a better way. When the welfare of the nation as a whole is first and foremost, we can accomplish almost anything. Collective confidence in the future always trumps collective shame and disaster.
As a modern rabbinic commentary said, “This was, in short, a model negotiation, a sign of hope after the many destructive conflicts in the book of Numbers, as well as a standing alternative to the many later conflicts in Jewish history that had such appalling outcomes.
Note that Moses succeeds not because he is weak, not because he is willing to compromise on the integrity of the nation as a whole, not because he uses honeyed words and diplomatic evasions, but because he is honest, principled, and focused on the common good. We all face conflicts in our lives. This is how to resolve them.”
Some people say that we need to turn America into a biblical nation. If that is the case, then maybe we should start with this story which threatens no-one, destroys nothing, incarcerates zero people, and strengthens the nation through mutual respect where boundaries are recognized and embraced. And, to be honest, I would rather have this story on the walls of a classroom over the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are decrees that literally come from On High and which carry with them an implied threat of either divine or human punishment. This story, on the other hand, carries no threat but rather the promise of peace. As Jews, we are commanded to pursue the paths of peace. This story is a good example on how to get there.
