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Deuteronomy 3:20 - Rest before inheritance?

Deuteronomy 3:20 - דברים 3:20

Hebrew Text

עַד אֲשֶׁר־יָנִיחַ יְהוָה לַאֲחֵיכֶם כָּכֶם וְיָרְשׁוּ גַם־הֵם אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם נֹתֵן לָהֶם בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן וְשַׁבְתֶּם אִישׁ לִירֻשָּׁתוֹ אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָכֶם׃

English Translation

until the Lord gives rest to your brethren, as well as to you, and until they also possess the land which the Lord our God has given them beyond the Yarden: and then shall you return every man to his possession, which I have given you.

Transliteration

Ad asher-yanich Adonai la'acheichem kachem veyarshu gam-hem et-ha'aretz asher Adonai Eloheichem noten lahem be'ever hayarden veshavtem ish liyreshato asher natati lachem.

Hebrew Leining Text

עַ֠ד אֲשֶׁר־יָנִ֨יחַ יְהֹוָ֥ה <small>׀</small> לַֽאֲחֵיכֶם֮ כָּכֶם֒ וְיָרְשׁ֣וּ גַם־הֵ֔ם אֶת־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְשַׁבְתֶּ֗ם אִ֚ישׁ לִֽירֻשָּׁת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לָכֶֽם׃
עַ֠ד אֲשֶׁר־יָנִ֨יחַ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ לַֽאֲחֵיכֶם֮ כָּכֶם֒ וְיָרְשׁ֣וּ גַם־הֵ֔ם אֶת־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן וְשַׁבְתֶּ֗ם אִ֚ישׁ לִֽירֻשָּׁת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לָכֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Devarim 3:20) is part of Moshe Rabbeinu's address to the tribes of Reuven and Gad, who requested to settle on the eastern side of the Yarden (Jordan River) due to its suitability for their livestock. Moshe agreed on the condition that they first assist the other tribes in conquering Eretz Yisrael before returning to their allotted portion.

Key Themes and Interpretations

  • Unity of Klal Yisrael: The verse emphasizes the obligation of mutual responsibility among the tribes. Rashi explains that the phrase "until the Lord gives rest to your brethren" underscores that no tribe may settle comfortably while others are still engaged in battle (Rashi on Devarim 3:20).
  • Divine Promise of Inheritance: The land is described as a gift from Hashem ("which the Lord our God has given them"). Ramban (Nachmanides) highlights that this reinforces the idea that Eretz Yisrael is an eternal inheritance granted by divine covenant (Ramban on Devarim 3:20).
  • Conditional Settlement: The Sifrei (a halachic Midrash) notes that the tribes' right to their portion was contingent upon fulfilling their communal duty. This teaches a broader principle that individual benefits must align with collective responsibilities (Sifrei Devarim 23).

Halachic and Ethical Implications

The Talmud (Bava Metzia 83a) derives from this verse that one must not prioritize personal comfort over communal needs. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:7) applies this principle to wartime, ruling that soldiers may not abandon their posts until victory is secured for all.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 7) connects this verse to the broader theme of unity, comparing the tribes to limbs of a single body. Just as one limb cannot rest while another is in pain, so too must Bnei Yisrael support one another in achieving their shared destiny.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 3:20 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 3:20 refers to Moshe's instruction to the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and half of Menashe. They had requested to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan River (outside the Land of Israel proper), but Moshe conditioned this on their promise to first help the other tribes conquer the Land of Canaan. The verse emphasizes that they could only return to their allotted land after helping their brethren secure their inheritance in the Promised Land.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse teaches the important Jewish value of communal responsibility (ערבות, areivut). Even though these tribes had already received their portion, they were obligated to help their fellow Jews first. Rashi explains that this shows we must prioritize the needs of the community before our personal comforts. The Talmud (Sotah 37b) also derives from here that all Jews are responsible for one another.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 3:20 today?
A: The verse teaches us that even when we have our own needs met, we must help others achieve their goals before settling into our own comfort. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:3) applies this principle to all areas of life - we should be concerned with both our spiritual growth and helping others grow spiritually as well.
Q: How does this apply to the concept of Jewish unity?
A: This verse establishes that the tribes of Israel were interdependent. The Midrash (Tanchuma Matot 3) explains that the Jewish people are like one body - when one part suffers, all feel it. The eastern tribes' commitment to fight alongside their brethren demonstrates that Jewish unity transcends geographical boundaries or tribal affiliations.
Q: What does 'until the Lord gives rest to your brethren' refer to?
A: According to Rashi, this refers to the completion of the conquest and division of the Land of Israel under Yehoshua's (Joshua's) leadership. The 'rest' means both military victory and peaceful settlement. The Sforno adds that true 'rest' comes when the land is fully settled according to God's plan, with each tribe in its proper inheritance.