B"H
Tuesday, Tammuz 27, 5778 / July 10, 2018
This Shabbat we read the last two Parshiot of the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers), Matot & Masei.
The reason we combine the two Parshiot is because we always read Devarim, the first Parsha of the Book of Deuteronomy, on the Shabbat before Tisha B’Av (9th day in Av), or on Tisha B’Av itself when it falls on Shabbat.
This year Tisha B’Av is on Shabbat, thus we have to combine Matot & Masei this Shabbat, so that we can read Parshat Devarim on the following Shabbat, which is Tisha B’Av.
Parshat Matot begins with the laws of vows. The Parsha begins, “Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribes; to the children of Israel, saying This is what G-d has commanded. When a person makes a vow to G-d or makes an oath to prohibit upon him something, he may not violate his word. According to whatever comes out from his mouth he must do.”
Here we see the emphasis the Torah places on fulfilling a vow. It is the same when one makes a commitment to charity, one must fulfill their commitment. But we are only human and there may be a chance that one will not be able to fulfill their commitment. For this reason, one should add the words, “Bli Neder,” when making a commitment or promise. “Bli Neder” means, “Without a vow.”
King Solomon emphasizes the power of speech as follows, “Life and death are in the hands of the tongue.”
Q. The Torah specifies that Moshe first spoke to the “heads of the tribes” and then to all of Israel. Why were the heads of the tribes emphasized here as a category in themselves and not included together with all the people of Israel?
A. The Torah speaks here about fulfilling vows and promises. “Heads of the Tribes,” represent those who are in positions of leadership. Many people who seek positions of leadership will tend to make all kinds of promises to the voters in order to get elected to that position. But unfortunately, when they do get elected, as we see with many politicians, they forget their promises…
This is why the Torah singles out the heads of the tribes, for this law applies especially to them.
Q. What if one makes a vow to transgress a commandment?
A. In that case one is prohibited to fulfill the vow. The reason is because a personal vow cannot override G-d's commandments. Also, we have already vowed at the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, to keep and observe all the commandments.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Wednesday, Tammuz 28, 5778 / July 11, 2018
We are now in the “Three Week” period, in which we remember the destruction of the two Holy Temples in Jerusalem.
The destruction of the first Temple took place over 2,500 years ago. The second Temple was destroyed around 2,000 years ago. Although the Temples were destroyed, the place where the Temples stood is holy forever. It is the place from where our prayers ascend to heaven.
The story in the Torah, when Jacob, in his dream saw a ladder standing on the ground and reaching into heaven and angels were going up and down, he was sleeping on the very place where the Temples would eventually be. He called that place, “The gate of heaven.” This is why we pray facing east, towards the place where the Temples stood.
Q. Why is it so important to remember these events which took place thousands of years ago?
A. We believe that nothing happens by chance. The reason the Temple was destroyed was a result of their sins at that time. We remember these unfortunate events, in order to correct them. Thus, G-d willing, we will merit our redemption and the re-building of the Temple, with the coming of Moshiach.
Napoleon once passed a synagogue, on the fast day of Tisha B’Av (9th of Av), and saw Jews sitting on the floor, reciting prayers and weeping. “What are they weeping about?” he asked. He was told the Jews were mourning the destruction of their Holy Temple and the loss of their land.
“How long ago did this occur?” asked Napoleon. “About 1,800 years ago,” he was told.
“A people capable of crying for so long over their destroyed Temple and Land, will eventually find their way home, There is no doubt that their Temple will be rebuilt, ” said Napoleon.
Q. Why were the Holy Temples destroyed?
A. Our sages in the Talmud tell us that the First Temple was destroyed due to the sin of Idol worship, as the Jewish people were influenced by their neighbors, accepting many of their customs and ways, including idol worship. The Second Temple was destroyed due to “unjustified hatred” amongst the Jewish nation.
Q. How do we correct the sin of unjust hatred?
A. Through acts of goodness and kindness, even to those about whom we may feel that they are not deserving of our kindness. We also give more charity to show our caring for each other.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Thursday, Tammuz 29, 5778 / July 12, 2018
This Shabbat we read the two final portions of the book of Numbers (Bamidbar), Matot and Masei.
When the Torah reader finishes Parsha Masei, everyone rises and in unison we say, “Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazeik.” This means, “Be strong, be strong and let us together be strengthened.”
This is done whenever we conclude one of the Five Books of the Torah. This Shabbat we will have concluded the Fourth Book of the Torah, the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar).
The Book of Numbers spans the 40 years that the Jewish people were in the desert. The next Book, which is the last book of the Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), will be about Moshe’s parting words to the Jewish people before his passing away. It 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 are the laws of vows recorded in Parshat Matot, at the end of the Fourth Book of the Torah, and not earlier as were all the other laws?
A. The water supplied to the Jewish people throughout their 40 years in the desert came from a rock. After Miriam passed away, the rock stopped giving water. G-d told Moshe and Aaron to seek out the rock and speak to it, so it will give water. But Moshe mistakenly hit the rock. In punishment for not doing exactly as G-d told them, G-d made a vow that Moshe and Aaron will not enter into the Promised Land and will 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.
Now, as the Jewish people were about to enter into the Promised Land, the Torah records the laws of the importance of keeping a vow. Our sages say that all the laws which G-d commanded us to keep, He too keeps them. In other words, G-d says do as I do (not just do as I say). By telling Moshe to command the people about the importance of keeping one’s vow, G-d wanted Moshe to understand why He intended on keeping His own vow that Moshe will not enter the Land.
Point of interest: All the men, between the age of twenty to sixty, when they came out of Egypt, didn’t merit to go into the Promised Land and died in the desert. But the women all merited to go into Israel.
Thursday night and Friday is Rosh Chodesh of the new month, Menachem Av.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Friday, Menachem Av 1, 5778 / July 13, 2018
Today is Rosh Chodesh (first day of the new month), Menachem Av. On Rosh Chodesh we recite the additional prayers of Hallel and Musaf. We read the Torah portion about the Rosh Chodesh sacrifices. On Rosh Chodesh four people are called up to the Torah.
Q. "Rosh Chodesh" means "Head of the month." Why “head” and not beginning of the month?
A.Just like the first day of the year is called, “Rosh Hashana,” Head of the year, because whatever happens during the year is decreed on that day, so too, Rosh Chodesh affects the entire month.
Q. When the Torah is read during the week, like Mondays and Thursdays, only three people are called to the Torah. Why are four people called up to the Torah on Rosh Chodesh?
A. Rosh Chodesh is a special day which enjoys a higher degree of holiness and special sacrifices were brought in the Temple on Rosh Chodesh. With the holiness of the day increasing, so do the amount of people called to the Torah. For this reason, on holidays we call five; on Yom Kippur six are called and on Shabbat seven people (excluding Maftir) are called to the Torah.
Q. What is the meaning of the name, Menachem Av?
A. Menachem in Hebrew is comfort and Av means Father. On the 9th day of this month, we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temples which were both destroyed on that day.
The name "Menachem Av" expresses our prayer and wish that G-d, our "Father" in heaven shall grant us "comfort" and rebuild the Holy Temple speedily in our days.
Our sages say that when the Jewish people are in Exile, G-d is also in exile. Thus, in a deeper sense "Menachem Av" can also be translated as "comfort to our Father." In this context it is we who commit to bringing comfort to our Father-in-Heaven through the observance of Torah and mitzvot, which will hasten the redemption.
Today in Jewish history: The first time Rosh Chodesh Av is mentioned in the Torah in connection with the story of Noah and the Great Flood. The Torah tells us that after the Flood, as the waters receded, it was on Rosh Chodesh Av that the “tops of the mountains were visible” (Genesis 8:5)."
Rosh Chodesh Av is mentioned in the Torah in this week’s Parsha, Masei. The Torah tells us that Aaron, the High Priest, passed away on this day, Rosh Chodesh Av.
SHABBAT SHALOM & A WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:23 / Shabbat ends: 9:42
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