Return to D'var Torah Menu

Mattot / Masee

10 July 2010

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 scale of values, the responsibility of groups and individuals must be felt 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.

Looking to the past helps us find the mind of G-d and see His hand upon the past, present and future, including the future redemption of mankind.  At the threshold of the Promised Land, G-d encourages the Children of Israel, and gives them assurance of their inheritance.  Even so, there are responsibilities involved.  There is a commandment to destroy and drive out the enemy, and to smash idols, and divide the land.  G-d’s plan was to have His people in His land.

G-d’s plan includes His dwelling with His people (Zechariah 14:16).  Not only will His people celebrate, but all peoples will celebrate.  At the end of the age, all of Israel’s enemies who survive, will come and worship the King of Kings at Jerusalem.

As we look forward to the time when G-d will deal with the enemies of His people, we need to be mindful to draw close to Him and He will draw close to us.  This is an especially good opportunity to make sure we repent of any idols in our lives.  As we approach the ninth of Av, the day set aside to remember the destruction of the first and second temples.  We need to repent, remove idols from our lives and not speak evil of each other.  As G-d commanded Israel to go forward and obey, let us march forward and finish the race.  Let us complete the task of testifying of G-d’s mercy and grace.

Chazak! Chazak! Venitzachazeik!

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

Shavuah Tov

Rabbi Z.

Return to D'var Torah Menu