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Last week, we reflected on how the pressure of social media (or, more accurately, our ego) can sometimes interrupt our connection to the Divine. It’s true that we live in a highly verbal and interactive world, where communication is constant, both online and offline. Ask yourself: How many text messages or emails did you send this week? The number is probably higher than you realize. Now, consider this: how many of those messages did you pause to reflect on, revise thoughtfully, or edit with care before hitting send? The number is likely much lower. This highlights an important point: the power of our actions, no matter how small they may seem in the moment, should never be underestimated.

Some of us are prone to speaking or acting impulsively, sometimes wounding those around us without intending to. We’ve all done it at some point—it's part of being human. But is it a pattern for you? Do you find yourself regularly gossiping or speaking ill of others behind their backs? Or maybe you make promises you can’t keep, over and over again? These are signs that you might be undervaluing the power of your words and actions. In doing so, you may be inviting negative energy into your life. Our actions are one aspect of our soul, and our words are another. A key part of our soul’s purpose is to master them. After all, if we can’t control our speech or actions, what can we truly control?

In this week’s portion, Matot-Masei, we learn that the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and half of the tribe of Menashe were not chosen to enter the land of Israel. In fact, they didn’t even cross the Jordan River with the rest of the Israelites. Instead, they asked Moses if they could settle in the fertile lands on the east side of the Jordan. Moses was initially upset by their request, feeling that they were abandoning their brothers in the struggle for the Promised Land. But after a conversation, Moses agreed on the condition that these tribes would still fight alongside the others, ensuring the collective effort was upheld.

This is significant because we know that Israel is the place of the greatest energy and light. So why were these tribes excluded? The reason comes down to consciousness, or the thoughts that accompanied their actions. To understand this, we need to examine the thoughts of Jacob at the time he fathered these three tribes.

Jacob didn’t even realize he was with Leah when Reuven, his eldest son, was conceived. He believed he was with Rachel, and his uncertainty at that moment was reflected when Reuven was born. Jacob didn’t know what name to give his son. In this case, the thoughts Jacob had during the conception didn’t align with his actions, casting a shadow over the event itself.

Similarly, the impurity of Menashe’s conception—since he was Joseph’s son, not Jacob’s—appears to have prevented his tribe from entering Israel, as we mentioned earlier. A comparable issue arose with the tribe of Gad. Remember, Gad was conceived when Leah, his wife, gave Jacob her handmaid, Zilpah, to sleep with. Jacob wasn’t informed of who Zilpah was, and just like with Reuven, his thoughts at the time were not fully in alignment with his actions.

What this teaches us is that it’s not just our actions that matter, but also the thoughts behind them. If we act without full awareness, or if our motives are false or hypocritical—as was the case with the creation of these three tribes—this can cause damage to our souls and our future. It was this unresolved spiritual damage that ultimately prevented these tribes from settling in Israel.

Having considered our thoughts and speech, it's now important to reflect on the actions that led these tribes to Israel. They had to navigate their way to their destination, just as we do in our daily lives whenever we travel or engage in meaningful tasks. However, they didn’t have Waze or Apple Maps to guide them. Instead, they followed a divine signal—a cloud. When the cloud rose, they knew it was time to continue their journey. When it descended, they stopped and rested, accepting the Divine’s instructions without question. This is a lesson we can apply to our own lives.

Wouldn’t you agree that having a bird’s-eye view helps us choose the best route? That’s why we use GPS. Similarly, to navigate through life, we must find our own "cloud"—a mentor, a true spiritual teacher, for instance—to guide us toward the Divine. Once we make the commitment to follow, we must accept and act upon their counsel. We should not veer off course or start and stop according to our whims. By this point, we’ve reflected deeply on our path, and our commitment to follow their guidance has been made. Therefore, our actions must align with our words.

Through conscious reflection, careful communication, and consistent action, we maintain the integrity of all three aspects of the soul: our thoughts, words, and actions.