Chevre, this week’s parsha (in Israel) is מַטּוֹת (Matot). This week we have the battle against Midian (on the East side of the Jordan River), the soldiers did not do as they were told in regards to captives. Given that a war took place there is now a discussion about the purity of the soldiers and their weapons. The spoils are then divided. And then we have an interesting request. Reuven and Gad want to make their shares of Israel on the East Side of the Jordan. Moshe thinks they are trying to shirk their responsibilities to the rest of the nation, but they say the land is better for their way of living (cattle instead of farming). They ask if they can build houses and they will continue to help conquer the land.  They actually ask to build pens for the animals and then houses indicating they care more about the livestock than their families. Moshe answers houses and pens to indicate that family are more important. As I noted a few years ago, this is the first Multi-AZ deployment.  May we always have the wisdom to put the life-work balance in the proper perspective. Shabbat Shalom.