Monday, Tammuz 25, 5781 / July 5, 2021

This Shabbat we read two Parshiot of the Torah, Matot & Masei, the two final portions of the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar).  With this week’s Torah reading we will conclude the fourth Book of the Torah.

Parshat Matot begins with the laws of vows (Nedarim). "And Moshe spoke to the heads of the Tribes of Israel, saying, ‘This is what the L-rd has commanded; When a man makes a vow to the L-rd or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bind, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all which came out of his mouth.’"

This Parsha teaches us the significance and implications of the words we speak.  Speech is a very powerful tool.  The creation of the universe, as told in the beginning of the Torah, came about through words! “G-d said, Let there be light” and so on.  “G-d created the universe with ten sayings,” tell us our sages in the Mishna.  Words have the power to build or to destroy.

The third of the Ten Commandments is, "Do not utter the name of the L-rd your G-d in vain." This is a prohibition which is associated totally to what we say.

Q.    If one makes a vow not to keep a mitzvah or to commit a sin, are they obliged to keep their vow or not?

A.   In that case the vow is not valid, and they are prohibited to keep their vow.  The reason is that, as Jews, we have already vowed at Mount Sinai, over 3000 years ago, to keep and observe all the Commandments.  Thus, our vow to G-d to keep all His commandments precedes any other vow one may make not to observe the mitzvot.

Q.   “He shall not break his word; he shall do according to all which came out of his mouth,” How can one make sure to never transgress the above mitzvah?  After all, we are only human, and we may forget our pledge or may not have the means to honor our commitment?

A.   This is why our sages say that when making a pledge to do something or to give to charity etc., we should add the words, “Bli Neder,” which means, “without a vow.”  For, even with the best intentions of committing to do something, one never knows if they will be able to honor their commitment. 

Q.   Why did G-d command the laws of vows in this Parsha, just before Moshe’s passing?

A.   The water supplied to the Jewish people throughout their 40 years in the desert came from a well imbedded in a rock, which travelled with them.  After Miriam passed away, the rock stopped giving water.  G-d told Moshe and Aaron to seek out the rock and speak to it to give water.  But Moshe hit the rock instead.  In punishment for not doing exactly as G-d told them, G-d made a vow that Moshe and Aaron will not go into the Promised Land and die in the desert. Although Moshe prayed many times that G-d rescind this decree, it did not help. Thus, G-d tells Moshe here the importance of keeping a vow.   

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY