במדבר, פרק ל״ב, פסוק ל״ו

As the tribe of Gad settles their newly acquired land, they establish a series of cities to protect their families and their immense flocks. A question arises regarding the nature of this settlement process. The record mentions that they built these locations, but if the cities were already standing as fortresses, there would be no need to construct them anew.

The primary approach among commentators clarifies that the tribe of Gad did not simply capture ready-made, fully fortified cities. Instead, they built up these locations specifically with the goal of turning them into fortresses and safe enclosures for their sheep [רש״י, שפתי חכמים, מזרחי, גור אריה]. In practical terms, while some of these places were indeed existing cities, the tribe renovated and adapted them to suit the living needs of their families, leaving behind a small military guard for protection [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Beyond the practical details of construction, there is a deeper ideological critique regarding the decision to build fortresses in the first place. Having just witnessed crushing victories over powerful rulers like Sihon and Og, the tribe of Gad had no reason to be afraid or to hide behind defensive walls. This choice is viewed as the beginning of a negative historical pattern. Rather than projecting confidence and causing their enemies to be the ones who hide in fear, the people chose to isolate themselves in fortresses, adopting a defensive mindset that would persist through future generations [ברכת אשר].