Parshas Matos-Mas’ei Life Lessons by Dr. Rubie Minkowitz

The Laws of promises were specifically taught to the heads of the tribes since they make promises when running for office and then neglect those vows! 

Matteh is a staff, shevet is a branch still connected, the Jews have now matured and are called Matos 

Moshe gives lessons on priorities
- Family first and then livelihood 
- ⁠Surround yourself with + influences and people 

Bal Shem - The 42 journeys of the Jews mirror the 42 spiritual journeys that each individual takes from birth onwards …
          Life is not just about the destination
        It Is the journey that defines us and allows to grow 

 Rosh Chodesh Av, Yartzheit of Aaron is mentioned in this reading to be the antidote for the 9 days 

No soldiers were lost in the  war against Midyan and may it be that we should be victorious with no more loss of life!  May the 9 days bring Moshiach and the third Bais Hamikdash!!! חזק חזק ונתחזק💪💪💪

Transcript

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Gujabis Parsha'matis and Masay Shabs Mivarchem Khazak. The Parsha starts off saying Mesha taught the mitzvas of vows and promises to the Matis, the heads of the tribes. Rashi says that this was done for all of the commandments. First the chiefs hear about it, and then everyone else. So why is this emphasized here in the laws of vows? The Hassam Sefer answers that politicians and heads of tribes often make promises when running for office and then forget or just ignore them when they get elected. So this mitzvah Mesha wanted to make sure that the heads of the tribes get warned to take their promises seriously. Some things never change. So the tribes of Bene Israel are either called a Shivat or a mata. What's the difference? One is still connected to the source or tree like a branch, called a Shivat, and a mata is a staff, not connected to the tree. It's on its own, like a child that grows up and leaves home. This can be difficult, but it's part of growth. To be a staff, a mata, and to stand on your own, like the Bene Israel who matured after forty years, and now they are ready to enter the holy land. Now they are called matas. And today we are ready for Mashiach, and we ask Hashem to give us strength, Chazak, to get there. And when the tribe of Ruvain and God come to Mesha with a request that they want to settle in the Transjordan for the extra space for their cattle and their family, in that order. First you worry about your family, then your money. Focus on your priorities and what is important in life. And then Mesha added half the tribe of Manasha to settle with them because he knew Manasha was a tribe that loved the land of Israel. As we see, the daughters of Salafad who loved their wanted a portion of it came from Manasha, teaching us that in life you need to surround yourself with positive influences and people. And Parsha's Masay lists all 42 journeys and the encampments. So why mention the journeys, which is the name of the Parsha? Just mention the places that they camped out in. The Baal Shemta says that it mentions specifically the 42 journeys from its shrine to the Holy Land because it mirrors the 42 spiritual journeys taken by each of us from birth and onward. The journeys that we take are just as important as the destination. And when we go through life, the journeys define us and allows us to go to a higher level. And we read about Aaron Hakoin passing away this week, which is the only yard site that is recorded in the Terah. This was on Rishov. Aurin loved every Jew, and the entire Bene Israel mourned his passing because he was a peacemaker. And now as we enter the nine days next week with Reshkideshav, we need to focus on Abishral, loving each other, which was what Arain Hakoyan stood for, to counteract the reason for the destruction of the Baysamedesh through Sinashinam. And that is why his yard site is mentioned in our reading. And to further channel the energy of Khazak in our times, we read about the war against Midian that even the tribe of Levi participated in, that there was no loss of life, not one soldier was killed. And may it be going forward that we have a complete victory in this war, with no more lives lost, and may we all celebrate Mashiach with the third base amidas, Khazak Chazak Vinis Chazeg.