From TorahVort.com
Matot
This week we are reading a double parshah, the first being Matot and the second being Masei. Parshah Matot features several interesting events, however it kick starts relating over the final laws given in the book Bamidbar, relating the laws on vows and oaths. The Torah stresses to us how one should never rashly taken an oath or a vow. They say that one who takes an oath or a vow rashly and then later fails to fulfil it, is likened to a man who takes a sword to stab himself; he is bound to come to harm. One who makes vows and promises regarding trivial matters transgress greatly and causes a desecration of Hashem's name. An oath or vow is binding when taken by a boy from the age of 13 years and a girl from the age of 12. There are 3 situations when it is commendable for a G-d fearing Jew to make an oath; if one has acquired sinful habits and wishes to stop and repent, if the oath is represented by a mitzvah and there is also a tradition from our forefather, Yaakov, that one should take a vow at a time of distress. We learn in Parshat Vayaitze, when Yaakov was fleeing Eisav, Yaakov vowed to give a tenth of all his earnings if he would return home safely and Hashem would provide his necessities. If one who takes an oath or a vow realizes that it is too difficult for him to fulfil, he can either go to a scholar who is an expert in the law, or to three laymen and they can absolve him on the basis that at the time of taking the vow he was not fully aware of all its implications. The Parshah then discusses the war against Midyan. Hashem commanded Moshe to instruct that 1000 members of each tribe should go to the army to fight, 1000 men were to pray for safety and victory to Hashem and a final 1000 from each tribe was to guard the belongings of the army and supply the food. The people that went out to war had to be righteous and G-d fearing. It was a supernatural war which G-d fought for the Jews against Midyan. If the Jews keep to the voice of prayer and the mitzvot, Hashem would provide and make fruit of the blessing Yitzchak gave Yaakov in Parshah Toldot. Pinchus was one of the men who went to war against Midyan. He killed Bilam and helped guide the Jews to an emphatic victory over Midyan. From here we learn that if one starts performing a mitzvah, he should not try and stop in the middle, he should try and finish it. He started the attack against Midyan when he killed Zimri and Cozby. Miraculously there were no Jewish casualties and millions of the wicked Midyanites lives were lost as the Jews killed most. However, to Moshe’s anger, some of the women of Midyan were kept alive. Many of these ladies seduced the men to sin and worship the idols as we learned at the end of Parshah Balak. Much of the booty that was won in the war was given to the temple treasury, however half of what was won, was given over to the courageous men who battled in the army. Also a percentage of what the nation gained was given to the Kohanim and Leviem. The Parshah then goes on to explain the laws of Koshering impure vessels which was instructed by Aharon's son, the new Kohen Gadol, Elazar. The method of Koshering depends upon its previous use, for example, a spit on which non kosher food was roasted directly over fire, must be koshered by being made glowing hot in fire. The Parshah has a lengthy conclusion, relating how the tribe of Reuven and Gad requested to live on the East side of Jordan. This was due to the fact that they saw this land was suitable for the mass animals they owned as there was a lot of spacious pasture ground. Moshe responded to their request with anger, saying that this will make every one unconfident about going to the land of Israel as it may have appeared that they did not want to live directly in the land. However the tribes of Reuven and Gad assured Moshe that they will enter Israel and head the army and even wait for everyone to settle in their respective territories before going back to their family and animals in the East Jordan. Moshe was satisfied with their assurance. However as they lived on the East Jordan, we learn from a verse in Chapter 5 of the book of Chronicles 1, it says, ‘And the G-d of Israel stirred up Pul, King of Ashur, and Tiglas Pilneser, king of Ashur, and he exhiled Reuven, Gad and half the tribe of Menashe.’ This verse proves how these tribes were exiled first as they all lived outside of the land of Israel due to Reuvens request. Reuven and Gad were accompanied in the land with half the tribe of Menashe. The usual Haftorah for parshah Matot is from Chapters 1 and 2 from the book of Jeremiah. I am dedicating this Dvar Torah in the merit of Miriam Bat Rachel getting better from health condition, please everyone say Tehillim in her merit to get better. Have a great week, watch this space for Dvar Torah on Parshat Masai, by Michael Zaroovabeli.
