Ep.25 Parshat Matot-Masei: The Hidden Story Of Brothers, Borders, And Moses’ Burial

Parsha Lab from Aleph Beta

In Parshat Matot-Masei, the Israelites are on the cusp of entering Israel, right on the Eastern side of the Jordan. But before they do, the tribes of Reuven and Gad ask Moshe to stay by the border, as the land is advantageous to raise their herd. At first furious, Moshe agrees to let them have the land provided they battle alongside their brethren as they enter Israel. But there’s something unique about this exchange -- it’s strikingly similar to another negotiation between Joseph and his brothers all the way back in the Book of Genesis. How are the negotiations with the tribes of Reuven and Gad and Joseph’s brothers connected? And how do these negotiations relate to the greater narrative of Moshe’s death outside of the land of Israel? Join Ami Silver and Daniel Loewenstein as they explore these hidden narratives at the end of Bamidbar, and never think about Matot-Masei the same way again.