"Attention students and leaders," the coordinator called over the loudspeaker. "It's time to study. Please go to your study groups.".
Lauri's group sat in the shade of a large oak tree and listened as Cynthia, their madricha, said: "The tribes of Reuben and Gad approached Moses with a request. What did they ask for?""
""I know," Lauri replied contentedly. "They asked for permission to stay east of the Jordan River.".
""Very good, Lauri. Why did you choose that area?""
""Wait, Cinti!" Ester shouted. "What do you mean they chose? Didn't they divide the land by lottery?""
""Yes, but years before the drawing of lots, the tribes of Reuben and Gad said they preferred to stay east of the river because it was covered with pasture for cattle.""
""Ah! I remember now," said Claudi. "They were shepherds and wanted to have plenty of pasture for their sheep.""
""That's true. But Moshe Rabbeinu wasn't happy with the request.""
""Why?" asked Dina. "What's wrong with raising sheep?".
""There's nothing wrong with raising sheep," Cynthia replied. "In fact, some of our most famous patriarchs were shepherds.""
""Like Abraham," Jani said. "And Isaac, Jacob, and even Moses himself!""
""Many Jews chose to be shepherds because it's peaceful and doesn't require much time or effort," Cintia explained. "That way they could dedicate their time and energy to serving Hashem (God), praying, and studying.""
""That's fine," Esther said. "So why didn't Moses agree?""
""Think about it, girls," Cintia said. "When the tribes of Reuben and Gad asked for this, Moses compared them to the meraglim (spies).""
""Ah! I understand now," said Claudi. "At school we learned that the Meraglim didn't want to enter Eretz Israel because they thought that life in the desert, where Hashem provided them with food, clothing, and homes, was better for people who wanted to dedicate themselves to serving Hashem. They could devote most of their time and energy to prayer and study. It seems the tribes of Reuben and Gad shared this view.""
""Very good, Claudi," Cintia congratulated her. "But there's a difference.""
""These two tribes promised Moses that they would enter the Land of Israel with the rest of the people. They prepared to leave their wives, children, and possessions east of the river, while they would go at the head of the people to conquer the Land of Israel and help the others settle in the land. They would not return until everyone was settled.""
""Moshe immediately agreed. Hashem wants people to live in Eretz Israel and to make Torah and Mitzvot a part of their daily lives. To sow, work, and build on the land. Even though most of the time is spent on ordinary things, when one does them the way the Torah says, it makes the world a Dira BeTajtonim, a dwelling place for Hashem.".
""However, our people need people who dedicate most of their time to study and prayer. But these people also need to be part of the establishment of Eretz Israel, like the tribes of Reuben and Gad. When they help others who spend most of their time working, they themselves can serve Hashem with the peace of a shepherd.""
Excerpted from Please tell me what the Rebbe says