It was at this time last summer that we, who were physically far from the rockets attacking us from the north and from the courageous chayalim sent in by foot, were oft reminded of our obligations as prescribed by parshas Matos. In this parsha we are introduced to the phrase "elef lemateh", which directed the advice of numerous gedolei hador and was subsequently programmed by several national organizations. "Elef lamateh", a thousand per tribe, refers to Moshe's call to 12,000 soldiers who would carry out the battle with Midyan. However, Chazal (Bamidbar Rabbah 22,2) explain that the seeming repetition of this phrase refers to establishing a force of 36,000 Jews: 12,000 soldiers would bear arms to fight Midyan, 1,000 from each shevet; 12,000 Jews formed the support force caring for the food and equipment of the fighters; another 12,000 Jews culled from each shevet stayed with their families at home to daven on behalf of those who were thrust into mortal danger.
Later in history according to Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi (Berachos 10a) Dovid Hamelech accords no less than the conquest of Yerushalayim to the Jews who supported the troops with their Torah study. "Omdos hoyu ragleinu besharayich yerushalyim" (Tehillim 122), explains Rabbi Yehoshua, means that the feet of the conquerors stood firmly on the holy soil of Yerushalayim due to support of those who were studying Torah in her gateways.
The responsibilities of various parts of our people are further impressed upon the return from the battle with Midyan. Here the parhsa proceeds to painstakingly describe the apportionment of the spoils of the war (3:26-49). First the spoil was split, half going to those who were in battle and half going to the balance of the Jewish people. To my mind this apportionment awarded those who risked their lives on behalf of the people even as it reminded all, that our success is dependant on the merit of national study and prayer. The soldiers proceeded to tithe their spoil at a rate of 1 of 500 whereas the rest tithed at a rate of 1out of 50. This too awards the soldier as if to say that all of their gains are already elevated by the mesirus nefesh with which they responded to Hashem's call.
Interestingly the tithing of the soldiers is counted specifically, noting that they as a group received 337,500 sheep of which they gave 657 to Elazar; 36,000 cattle of which they gave 72; 30,500 donkeys of which 61 were given etc. Whereas the large numbers taken in by the non-fighters is listed, the numbers of their gifts to Elazar is omitted. The Torah simply states that they too received as a group 337, 500 sheep, 36,000 cattle and 30,500 donkeys leaving us to do the rest of the math by ourselves. Perhaps every sheep, cow and donkey that came from the soldiers and was actually brought back to the camp by themselves and their mesirus nefesh deserves to be listed separately. This means that their tithing told of personal sacrifice and handing those animals over to Elazar told the story of Jewish courage and trust in Hashem's protection. With respect to the second group of animals, tithed at relatively high rate, it is the tithing per se that gave expression to our deep belief that our zehcuyos powerfully protect and advance the course of our people.
Further developing this theme, Rav Elyashiv shlit"a (Divrei Agadah p.321) reminds us that the battle for midyan and the subsequent conscription was declared explicitly by Hashem. If for that alone we should be assured victory and add to that the leadership of Pinchas, the call of the chaztotzros and the presence of the aron and the tzitz! With all of that Moshe still appointed a one for one davening buddy! All of this for the dor deah of the midbar! One can only imagine that in our time, writes Rav Elyahsiv, we should have 10 people davening for every soldier as we know Torah magna unatzla (Sotah 21a,) Torah saves and protects.
Now that the review of last summer's military efforts are being discussed, the elef lamateh that stayed behind needs to take stock and responsibility as well. Perhaps we can add this to the incumbent sobering and honest introspection of this time of year.