Weekly Parsha

Refuah Sheimah: "May it be Your will, LORD my G-d, and the G-d of my forefathers, that You quickly send refuah sh'lemah (complete healing) from heaven, spiritual healing and physical healing to Aryeh ben Leah, Esther bat Simcha, Stuart Holtzclaw and Randy Shute from Syracuse, NY., and Rabbi Tank's dear cousin Yehuda ben Shoshana.

Continue praying for: Teddy Welz, Miriam (Mariana) "bat Zulay", Adina (Heidi) "bat Sarah" e Yosefa (Josie) "bat Sharon", Rafael ben Gladis e Esther Bracha "bat Sarah".

Matot and Masei

Numbers 30:2 - 36:13

Matot-Masei" (מַּטּוֹת מַּסְעֵי) is a double Torah portion in the Book of Numbers, comprising Numbers 30:2–36:13. The name "Matot" (מַּטּוֹת) means "tribes" and refers to the discussion of vows and oaths. "Masei" (מַּסְעֵי) means "journeys" and recounts the 42 encampments of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. 

The Torah portion details the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land and features several important laws. Amongst these are the laws of vows, the war against the Midianites, and the instructions for establishing cities of refuge. Notably, this portion also introduces the laws concerning the purification and koshering of utensils captured from the Midianites, emphasizing the importance of kosher utensils. 

Following their victory over the Midianites, the Israelites captured many spoils, including metal utensils used by the Midianites for cooking non-kosher food. To make these utensils fit for kosher use, Elazar the Priest instructed the Israelites:

"Gold and silver, copper, iron, tin, and lead – any article that is passed through fire – these you shall pass through fire and they shall be clean, except that they must be cleansed with purification water. And anything that is not passed through fire you must pass through water" Numbers 31:22-23. 

Importance of kosher utensils

The laws of kashering utensils highlight the importance placed on keeping a kosher kitchen and home within Jewish tradition. This reflects the idea that even the slightest trace or taste of non-kosher substances can render food non-kosher. This emphasis on careful attention to detail in food preparation extends to utensils and cooking equipment, ensuring that the integrity of kosher food is maintained. 

In essence, Parshat Matot and Masei provide the foundation for the halachic process of kashering, allowing for the transformation of previously non-kosher utensils into items fit for use in a kosher home. This process not only fulfills a practical necessity for Jewish dietary laws but also symbolizes the potential for purification and transformation in a broader spiritual sense. 

Upon their return from the battle against Midian, Moshe angrily reprimanded the officers for not following his orders. Subsequently, when it was necessary to make the utensils taken in the booty kosher, Elazar the Kohen said:

"This is the decree (for making utensils kosher)" Numbers 31:21).

Why did Elazar teach this law and not Moshe?

The Talmud answers that Moshe had forgotten the law due his anger. "If a person becomes enraged, if he is wise, he loses his wisdom, and if he is a prophet, he loses his prophecy" (Pesachim 66b).

Writes Rabbi Yehudah Leib Chasman, "The suspension of Moshe's prophetic powers and intellect was not a punishment. Far from it. Moshe's wrath was directed at those who failed to protect the Israelites from improper actions, and it was thus in the interest of Israel and for the greater glory of G-d. Nevertheless, Moshe suffered suspension of his enormous powers because of the toxic effects of rage are a natural phenomenon. A person who put his hand into a fire is not 'punished' by being burned. It is a natural consequence. Similarly, the loss of one's powers due to rage is a natural consequence rather than a punishment."

Discipline trumps motivation. Discipline is the fuel for consistency!

To desire is human; to control our desires is the essence of being human.

Shabbat Shalom!

R. Ovadiah Tank

Online Learning

Rabbi Tank is a professor at the American Jewish College, where he teaches classes on Talmud, Jewish History, and Contemporary Jewish Law. Rabbi Tank is dedicated to finding modern utility and meaning in ancient wisdom texts and is pleased to provide spiritual, cultural, social and educational programming to communities around the world. 

Rabbi Tank was educated at Yeshivas in New York and Miami. He studied Biblical Archeology at Bar Ilan University and Jewish Studies at Harvard University. Rabbi Tank has a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and he is also graduated in International Economic Development from the University of Oxford. 

Rabbi Tank is actively involved in peace negotiations and relief operations. Rabbi Tank is the director of international affairs at the World Jewish Confederation headquarters in New York and He is member of the White House National Religious Leaders , an Executive Office of the President of the United States in Washington, D.C.