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MATOT-MASEE

18 July 2009

Numbers 30:2-36:13

Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4, (4:1-2)

Philippians 3:12-16

James 4:1-12

Below is a brief overview of the Parasha for this week:

Vows and Oaths-Vows/neder: a personal prohibition, which Torah allows, or an optional offering.  Oaths: to prohibit or require oneself to perform an act.

The battle against Midian-retribution because of their responsibility for causing the sin of immorality

Moses rebukes the officers because they allowed their troops to spare the women who participated in immorality

Laws of koshering utensils-these utensils have absorbed the “taste” of non-kosher foods

Division of the spoils-the greatest portion to those on the front-lines, but all had a share, including the Levites

The Jewish scale of values, the responsibility groups and individuals must feel to the community at large, and a leader’s role in formulating and communicating them

The request of Reuben and Gad (half tribe of Manasseh)

Moses’ Objection

The Request Clarified

Moses’ Condition

Summary of the Journey-the entire route followed by Israel from the Exodus until they stood ready to cross the Jordan

The boundaries of Eretz Israel

The Leadership

Cities for Levites

Cities of Refuge for Unintentional Killing

Tribal Inheritance

This week we end our reading of the book of Numbers.  We follow the wandering of the children of Israel forty years in the wilderness, going through many hardships, mainly because of their own lack of faith in G-d who strengthens all who trust in Him.  We see a people who begin their journey with sin and rebellion and end with a people who enter the land faithful to the Holy One (G-d).  They see the promises of G-d coming into fruition.

A Torah scholar has stated that Israel’s journeys during times of rebellion and times of faithfulness reflect the journeys of the Jewish people thru the centuries.  They keep to their faith as a people who were called by G-d to be a light unto the nations by maintaining their uniqueness as a separate and distinct people.

We also must continue to be a light unto the nations and maintain a strong faith and commitment to G-d.

Chazak! Chazak! Benitchazeik! Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened!

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

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