What 'first' did the tribe of Gad choose for themselves?
Rashi, Seforno, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: They chose to take their portion of land in that of Sichon and Og, which was the beginning of the conquest of Eretz Yisrael.
"Ki Sham Chelkas Mechokek Safun". Who is the "Mechokek"?
Rashi, Seforno and Targum Yonasan: Moshe Rabeinu -the law-giver. 1
See Peirush Yonasan and Na'ar Yonasan.
Why did Gad choose their portion in Eiver ha'Yarden?
Rashi, Seforno, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: "Ki Sham Chelkas Mechokek Safun" - 'Because they knew that that was where Moshe, 1 was destined to be buried 2 (and because the land contained precious stones and jewels - Targum Yonasan). 3
Over and above the fact that it served their purpose regarding land that was suitable for their vast number of sheep and cattle. Se Oznayim la'Torah.
Seforno: And it is due to their intention to attain this important objective - despite the fact that the Kedushah of Eiver ha'Yarden is not on a par with the Kedushah of Eretz Yisrael - that they deserve the above-mentioned B'rachos. Sotah, 13b: It is from here that we learn that moshe was buried in the portion of Gad - and tha Moshe is called 'Mechokek' (Bava Basra, 15a). See Torah Temimah, note 66.
What are the connotations of "Safun"?
Rashi: It refers to the burial-place of Moshe, which is hidden from the whole of mankind. 1
Targum Yonasan: Refer to 33:21:2:1.
Rashi: See below, 34:6.
What is the meaning of "va'Yesei Roshei Am"?
Rashi #1: It means that the B'nei Gad 1 went at the head of the troops'.
Rashi #2 and Targum Yonasan: Refer to 33:21:2:1. It refers to Moshe 2 who went at the head of Yisrael. 3
Seforno: Refer to 33:21:2:1 4 : 'And it is there, in the land of Sichon and Og, that Moshe led the people to conquer the land.
Rosh (34:6, citing Devarim Rabah): It refers to Techi'as ha'Meisim, when Moshe who is buried in Chutz la'Aretz) will lead the Meisei la'Aretz back to Eretz Yisrael.
Sifri: Refer to answer #4. And Moshe will lead the people back group by group - thr group that learned Chumash, the group that learned Mishnah and the group that learned Gemara, and he will receive his reward together with each group.
Who did "Tzidkas Hashem"?
Rashi #1: B'nei Gad went at the head of the troops (until Yisrael had conquered the land anhed distributed it) - true to their word. 1
Rashi #2: Moshe caused Yisrael to merit (Hashem's Goodness [therefore the merit of Yisrael is attributed to him, as the Pasuk conclues "u'Mishpatav - His Mitzvos - Im Yisrael]). 2
Sotah, 13b: When Moshe died, he was lying on the Wings of the Shechinah and the Mal'achei ha'Shareis declared "Tzidkas Hashem Asah u'Mishpatav Im Yisrael".
What is "Mishpatav Im Yisrael" referring to?
Seforno: It refers to Moshe, who rebuked 1 the people and reviewed how Hashem punished them for their sins during their forty years in the desert. 2
Targum Yonasan: It refers to Moshe, who taught Hashem's people Yisrael the system of Mishpatim.
Sotah, 13b: When Moshe died, he was lying on the Wings of the Shechinah and the angels announced 'Tzidkas Hashem Asah u'Mishpatav im Yisrael"! 3
Oznayim la'Torah: What the Torah means is that, just as all the Tzedakos and Mishpatim that Hashem did with Yisrael he did though Moshe, so too, will he reward them (Yisrael) in the days of Mashi'ach through Moshe.
Refer to 33:25:1:2.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes (in one explanation) that Moshe did "Tzidkas Hashem." What is this referring to?
Targum Yonasan: It is what was right in the Eyes of Hashem.
Seforno: He explained the Torah to Yisrael, in the land of Sichon and Og. 1
Refer to 33:21:5:2 and note.
See Devarim, 1:5.
