From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat, July 25, 26, 2025/ 29 Tammuz and 1 Av 5785
We will be finishing the Book of Bedmidbar/Numbers, which contains: 1228 verses, 36 chapters, and 10 Sidort: We recite: Hazak, Hazak, V’Nitzhazak/Strength, Strength, and Together We Are Stronger!
Short Summary of the two Torah portions:
Mattot begins with the making of vows; both men and women would take upon themselves special obligations beyond those required by the Law. It also includes the war against the Midianites, the appointment of the spoils of battle, and the Tribes that settled east of the Jordan River.
Massei continues with Israel’s route from Egypt to the Jordan River, the Commandments for Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, boundaries of the Promise Land, cities assigned to the Levites, cities of refuge, and the reiteration of laws pertaining to female heirs to property.
Judaism Concepts and Values from Mattot:
If one makes a vow, Ecclesiastes (5:4) states: “it is better that you should not vow, than you should vow and fail to fulfill.” We cannot be ethical members of society unless we honor our vows and promises.
Judaism Concepts and Values from Massei:
Cities of refuge, which in ancient times had six cities, three of each on either side of the Jordan River, were set aside as places of asylum for persons who committed manslaughter. This was done to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, since the Israelites at the time still practiced the primitive principle in which a kinsman of the murdered individual (go’el hadam) took it upon themself to pursue and slay the murderer.
A Mitzvah that is notable is the requirement of two witnesses, which is found in Numbers 35:30. We learn that the testimony of a single witness was not enough to make anyone liable for the death penalty. The reason for two witnesses is to safeguard the innocent, since one witness might have a bias.
My rule in life has always been when I read or hear any news, I make sure to view and hear many different versions. Then I may make my own decision on how to comprehend where the truth may be. In ancient times, and even during wartimes, the news that was received needed to be verified. Judaism has always been a guideline for ethical and moral behavior and many countries throughout the world have the foundations of their laws based on our Torah.
When I am attending various functions or events where other clergy are delivering a prayer or message, they would inform me, “that was from your bible!” Of course I realized that, however they did not mention the source. Keep in mind, many faiths have the Torah (Five Books of Moses) as their foundation and call it the “Old Testaments.” Also, when reading even our Chumash (Torah in book form), the translations from Hebrew to English or another language may vary, but its intent and meanings are the same.
May the Sabbath see the end of our Hostages held by Hamas and returned to their loved ones.
May we realize that the month of Av has Tishah B’Av, which is the day that our holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed twice on that same day!
May we continue to pray for RAIN in our area. Ahh, the power of prayer. I do know we had a little rain, but a little more shouldn’t be so hard to ask HaShem for.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
