B"H
Friday, Tammuz 27, 5784 / August 2, 2024
This Shabbat we read the two final portions of the book of Numbers (Bamidbar), Matot and Masei. When the reader recites the last verse of Parshat Masei, the congregation stands and recites in unison, “Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek.” Translation: “Be strong! Be strong! And may we all be strengthened!”
These words are announced with the conclusion of each of the Five Books of the Torah. With the conclusion of each of the Books of the Torah we gain strength. Torah is our strength as we recite in the prayers each day, that Torah is, “Our life and the lengthening of our days.” With the studying of Torah and connection to Hashem we are infused with moral and spiritual strength.
May Hashem guard and protect the Jewish people wherever they are, especially in the Holy Land. May Hashem guard and protect the soldiers of the IDF – on land, in the air and at sea. May they accomplish their missions with great success and no harm shall befall any of them. Amen.
The Book of Numbers spans the period of the 40 years the Jewish people were in the desert. The next Book, the last book of the Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), will be about Moshe’s parting words to the Jewish people before his passing and encompasses the last five weeks of Moshe’s life.
Parshat Matot begins with the laws of vows (Nedarim); "And Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribes of the Children 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.’" The general law of vows also applies to women.
Q. Why did G-d command the laws of vows in this Parsha, just before Moshe’s passing?
A. When Miriam died, the water that supplied to the Jewish people throughout their 40 years in the desert, which came from a rock, stopped flowing. G-d told Moshe and Aaron to seek out the rock and commanded it to give water. But Moshe hit the rock and in punishment, G-d vowed that Moshe and Aaron will not enter into the Promised Land and die in the desert.
To the very end of his life, Moshe didn’t give up hope. He prayed and begged G-d to allow him entry into Israel, but to no avail. By telling him the importance of keeping a vow, G-d wanted Moshe to understand why He intended on keeping His vow and Moshe will not enter the Land.
We wish our beloved brothers and sisters in Israel: “Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek. - Be strong! Be strong! And may we all be strengthened!” Israel’s strength is our strength! Am Yisrael Chai!
Shabbat, we bless the new Hebrew month, Menachem Av. Rosh Chodesh is, Sun. night & Monday.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:01 / Shabbat ends: 9:04
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.