The book of Numbers, Bamidbar in Hebrew, recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. In chapter 32, we encounter the tribes of Reuben and Gad. "The children of Reuben and the children of Gad had much livestock; it was very considerable. And they saw the land of Yazer and the land of Gilad, and, behold, the place was a place for livestock" (Numbers 32:1).

Now, Bamidbar Rabbah, a classical Midrashic text, unpacks this seemingly simple verse and delves into the nature of true wealth, power, and wisdom. It poses a fascinating idea: that there are three gifts in the world that, if acquired, can bring complete fulfillment. These are wisdom, might, and wealth. But there’s a crucial caveat.

These gifts only bring true delight, the Midrash tells us, when they are "gifts of Heaven" – when they come through the Torah. When they are earned and used in a way that is aligned with divine will. Otherwise? Well, then their luster is fleeting. As Solomon wisely observes in Ecclesiastes 9:11, "the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all" (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

The prophet Jeremiah echoes this sentiment: "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me...'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24). If these gifts don't come from the Holy One, blessed be He, they will ultimately be taken away.

To illustrate this point, our Rabbis tell of pairs of figures: one from Israel and one from the nations, each possessing one of these gifts. Ahithophel and Balaam, both renowned for their wisdom, yet both met tragic ends. Samson and Goliath, paragons of strength, both ultimately fell. And Korah and Haman, overflowing with riches, both were utterly destroyed. Their downfall? They seized their gifts for themselves, rather than receiving them from the Divine.

Think about that for a moment. These figures – legends in their own right – possessed qualities that many of us strive for. Yet, their stories serve as cautionary tales.

And what about the tribes of Reuben and Gad? They, too, were blessed with considerable wealth in the form of livestock. But they loved their possessions so much that they chose to settle outside the Land of Israel. The consequence? They were the first to be exiled, as it is written: "So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser, king of Assyria, and carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh..." (1 Chronicles 5:26).

The Midrash asks: What caused this? It was their separation from their brethren, driven by their attachment to their acquisitions. The very verse that describes their wealth – "The children of Reuben and the children of Gad had much livestock..." – becomes a testament to their misplaced priorities.

So, what does this all mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder to examine our own values. What do we truly cherish? Are we pursuing wisdom, strength, and wealth in a way that honors something beyond ourselves? Are we building a life of true, lasting value, or are we chasing fleeting shadows? The story of Reuben and Gad, and the insights of Bamidbar Rabbah, invite us to consider what it truly means to be rich – not just in possessions, but in purpose.