We find a fascinating puzzle in the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) regarding the location of the Temple.

One verse (Deuteronomy 12:14) seems to say the Temple should be built "in the portion of one of your tribes," while another, nearby, implies it should be "of all your tribes." Contradiction? Not in the eyes of the Rabbis! They saw it as a challenge to uncover a deeper truth. How do you reconcile these seemingly conflicting statements?

Well, the Jewish people knew that the Temple was destined to be built in the territory of just one tribe. Knowing this, they set aside a choice piece of land – the "fat land" of Jericho. But here's the twist: who benefited from this prime real estate for centuries before the Temple was actually built?

According to Rabbi Shimon, it was the descendants of Keini, or Jethro – Moses' father-in-law! For a staggering 440 years, they enjoyed the fruits of Jericho.

Think about that for a moment. A non-Israelite family, granted a special privilege because of their connection to Moses, a connection rooted in kindness and wisdom. It’s a beautiful picture of inclusivity and the enduring power of good deeds.

But the story doesn't end there. With the eventual construction of the Temple, the Keinites moved on. As Judges 1:16 tells us, "And the children of the Keini, the father-in-law of Moses, went up from the city of palms (Jericho)." Their time in Jericho had come to an end.

Rabbi Yehudah offers a slightly different perspective. He suggests that the Keinites didn't simply vanish; rather, they relocated to Yabetz. We find evidence for this in 1 Chronicles 2:55, which mentions "the families of scribes, who dwelt in Yabetz… These were the Keinites." So, rather than disappearing, they transitioned into a role as scribes, continuing to contribute to Jewish life and learning.

Whether they simply left Jericho, as Rabbi Shimon suggests, or relocated to Yabetz and became scribes, as Rabbi Yehudah believes, the story of the Keinites highlights a fascinating intersection of tribal land, divine purpose, and the enduring legacy of family connections. It makes you wonder: what "fat lands" are we benefitting from today, and what role will we play when it's time to move on or transition to a new purpose?