דברים, פרק ג׳, פסוק י״ט

As the warriors from the tribes east of the Jordan River prepared to leave for battle, their impending separation from their families required special attention. Moses directs these men to leave their households and possessions behind in their newly acquired cities [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He briefly acknowledges their vast amount of livestock as a passing remark [ביאור יש״ר]. This abundance of animals is exactly why these tribes needed to settle in this specific region. The landscape featured deep valleys nestled between high mountains, which blocked the harsh sun and provided the flocks with essential natural shelter from the heavy summer heat [בכור שור].

Leaving wives behind for an extended military campaign raises a significant moral and legal concern, as it creates a state of temporary abandonment that is generally forbidden. However, Moses explains that the sheer volume of their property made it impossible to bring the flocks to the front lines. If the animals were left without the supervision of the women and children, it would result in total financial ruin. In this exceptional case, the need to prevent such a massive loss of property justified the temporary separation [העמק דבר].

The directive for the families to remain in their cities was not merely a practical instruction, but a profound promise. Moses assures the departing warriors that while they march forward to fight shoulder to shoulder with their brothers, their wives, children, and property will remain completely safe. They will wait securely in their cities until the men return in peace to their land [ביאור יש״ר].