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Why does the Midrash criticize Bnei Gad and Reuven for mentioning their cattle before their children when requesting land? The shiur develops that their true failing was making wealth their identity rather than viewing it as a tool for avodas Hashem (ה׳). This misplaced priority led them to choose remaining outside Eretz Yisrael based on material rather than spiritual considerations.
This shiur examines the spiritual failures of the tribes of Gad and Reuven through the lens of Midrash Tanchuma on Parshas Matos. Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L analyzes two interconnected criticisms: first, that these tribes chose to remain in Chutz La'aretz (outside the Land of Israel proper) because of their attachment to their wealth, and second, that they made the ikar (primary) into tafal (secondary) by prioritizing their cattle over their children when speaking to Moshe. The shiur explores Moshe's initial accusation that Bnei Gad and Reuven were like the Meraglim (spies), suggesting they were discouraging the nation from entering Eretz Yisrael. Even after they agreed to fight alongside their brethren, the Midrash maintains this was still a spiritual deficiency - they lacked proper love for dwelling in Eretz Yisrael and were overly attached to their material possessions.
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Parshas Matos, Midrash Tanchuma
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