A TALK ON THE FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH

To accomplish the delicate task of fair distribution, Divine oversight is required. * The litmus test is perfect clarity and transparency, genuine communication.

By Rabbi Boruch Merkur

“And you shall be gathered one by one, children of Israel.” (Yeshaya 27:12)

At the simplest level, redemption is a return to our homeland, a restoration to our proper place. Each Jew is sifted from the chaff of exile, taken by the hand, and guided with individualized care and sensitivity. Like a concerned parent, Hashem recognizes the unique character and challenge of each Jew and provides for each accordingly. 

When it came to divvying up the Holy Land in Biblical times, each of the Twelve Tribes had unique concerns. Z’vulun, for example, a Tribe of merchants and seafarers, had to dwell near the coast.^[1] Dividing the land symmetrically would not necessarily have accommodated their needs. 

To accomplish the daunting, delicate task of the fair distribution of wealth, of real estate, Divine oversight was required. In the desert, the Jewish people were commanded to cast lots. It was a seemingly arbitrary determination, but one that was predicted by the Kohen Gadol, who spoke with ruach ha’kodesh, Divine inspiration. With all the equality of random selection, of a lottery, but with the miracle of revealed Divine providence, the Holy Land was divided fairly, with wisdom.

The results of the lottery were voiced not just through ru’ach ha’kodesh on the part of the Kohen Gadol; the cast lots, the tickets themselves, miraculous piped up and announced the Tribe they represent and the portion of land they would receive:

The lottery had to be absolutely perfect.^[2] It therefore served not only to divide the land, but to clarify the authenticity of the distribution and publicize it.

The lottery’s perfection was expressed in thought, speech, and action. In addition to the act of casting the lottery and drawing tokens (and prior to that, writing on the tokens the names of the Twelve Tribes and descriptions of the borders), and in addition to the thought and intent that this requires – “the lottery would speak”^[3] … “The lottery token itself cried out and said” – clearly and openly (leaving no doubt) – “‘I am the lot cast for this particular border, designated to this particular Tribe.’” ^[4]

This perfectly fair distribution had to be expressed specifically in a miracle that pertained to speech (“al pi ha’goral”) - and not by a miracle in thought or action - because a lottery by definition requires action and thought (i.e., the act of casting a lottery in accordance with the thought of its intent). The litmus test for determining if it is done with the ultimate perfection is when it is also articulated and communicated, bringing to light the result of the lottery with perfect clarity and transparency … 

In terms of our avoda, speech is the main indicator of how relevant something is to the person (the one who “conquers” the land, the one who speaks), as well as how it affects the other (the one who is “conquered,” the one who listens).^[5]

*

When we are told the sensitive information of which portion we are to acquire, defining our proper place, what we need from this world to fulfill our unique mission, what defines for us a healthy lifestyle driven towards personal perfection - thought doesn’t cut it. Good intentions alone are not the object of our conquest. Thought is private and secluded, self-absorbed; it doesn’t acknowledge others. Action is also lacking, as it acts upon others; it compels them. Action may manipulate others or even help them, but it doesn’t speak to them or help them transform. 

Speech is the bridge between people. It is the channel through which the message passes and the platform where it lands. Speech takes into account the listener, the person’s language, culture, as well as his or her personal sensitivities. 

Speech allows us to approach others and tell them they don’t need to go anywhere. You are exactly where you need to be. This is the most important moment ever. Genuine communication today assures you that you have conquered yourself and made of that place the Holy Land. 

 
*

NOTES:

^[1] VaYechi 49:13

^[2] Just as the avoda itself of conquering the land must be done comprehensively - in thought, speech, and action – the same is true of the preparatory dividing the land by lot. Although the lottery was the necessary mechanism of dividing, conquering, and settling the land, it had its own importance. (Seifer HaSichos 5751, pg. 701)

^[3] Rashi Ibid 26:56

^[4] Rashi on Pinchas 26:54

^[5] Seifer HaSichos 5751, pg. 701