Making sense of the sedra: Matot-Masei

Recently, the United Synagogue hosted an evening of solidarity with Israel, during which the Chief Rabbi interviewed hostage survivors Aviva and Keith Siegel.

Following their heart-wrenching and courageous testimony, the audience rose in spontaneous and sustained applause. Clearly moved, Aviva asked for quiet and exclaimed that until this moment she hadn’t fully understood the point of Diaspora Jewry. After all, if one is a committed Zionist, should they not live in Israel?

But, she said, through all they had experienced, she and Keith had come to appreciate the vital importance of a strong and supportive Jewish presence outside Israel, “on both sides of the Jordan”.

This week’s double portion, Matot-Masei, features the first instance of a sanctioned Diaspora community. The tribes of Reuven, Gad and half of Menashe request to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan. Moshe agrees, with one crucial condition: their geographical separation must not imply disengagement. Quite the opposite, it must strengthen their commitment to the collective destiny of the Jewish people.

Ephraim of Sudilkov, grandson of the Baal Shem Tov and author of the Degel Machaneh Ephraim explains that the tribe of Menashe was deliberately split in two, forming a human bridge across the Jordan, symbolising the essential connection between Jews in the Land and those beyond its borders.

This progression from personal interest to collective concern, while preserving distinct identities, is embedded in the very language of the Torah. Early on Tribes are referred to as shevatim and later as matot, both terms referring to wood of a tree. A shevet is a young, flexible twig, a symbol of growth and potential. A mateh, by contrast, is a matured, firm staff, capable of leadership and support.

This linguistic evolution, shevet to mateh, reflects the spiritual growth journey of the tribes: from the adolescent sons of Jacob to the mature leaders responsible for securing and sustaining the Jewish future.

Psalm 23 captures this sentiment beautifully: “Your rod (shevet) and your staff (mish’enet) comfort me.” The comfort lies in knowing we are not alone: we are held, supported and accompanied by the Divine. But we also become, in time, the supporters of one another.

In a contemporary context, this is a powerful metaphor for Diaspora Jewry. The notion of the twelve tribes continues to symbolise unity, even as we live scattered across the globe. Some thinkers have even suggested the image of a ‘thirteenth tribe’ to reflect the distinct identity and mission of Jews in the Diaspora, connected to Israel, yet rooted abroad, and capable of offering unique contributions to the Jewish story.

As we begin the month of Av – a time marked by our history of division and exile – we would do well to reflect on Aviva Siegel’s call. Our support for Israel cannot be passive. It must be active, vocal and deeply connected.

We need Israel more than ever, and though it may be less often said, Israel needs us too. Our solidarity, our advocacy and our unity across both sides of the Jordan are essential to our shared future.

Rabbi Elchonon Feldman is Chair of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue and Senior Rabbi of Bushey United Synagogue