Upgrading the Torah—and the World
Jul 21, 2017 By Benjamin D. Sommer | Commentary | Masei | Mattot
Is God’s law perfect? Most of us would assume that anything created by an omniscient and omnipotent being must have no flaws. But a story in today’s parashah suggests otherwise—in a manner that shows a surprising similarity to a key concept of Jewish mysticism.
Read MoreThe Journey or the Destination?
Aug 5, 2016 By Anna Serviansky | Commentary | Masei | Mattot
Life’s like a road that you travel on
When there’s one day here and the next day gone . . .
Read MoreLife is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I want to drive it all night long
A Summer of Discontent
Aug 5, 2016 By Arnold M. Eisen | Commentary | Masei | Mattot
The violent and disturbing events of this summer have given me new appreciation for the book of Numbers, and particularly for its conclusion. After chapter upon chapter of intrigue, rebellion, orgy, and mayhem, attention shifts in parashat Masei, the second part of this week’s double parashah, to a series of routine arrangements and details, elaborated at times in rhythmic repetition.
Read MoreThe Blessing for What Goes Into our Food
Jul 30, 2011 By Abigail Treu | Commentary | Text Study | Masei
Are blessings over food spontaneous or rote? Do we bless our food out of gratitude for nourishment—or do we use the moments surrounding that most basic animal act of eating for spiritual uplift?
Read MoreJewish Time
Jul 13, 1996 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Masei | Mattot
The tantalizingly fragmented book of Numbers closes with a new generation of Israelites, born and bred in the wilderness, poised to cross the Jordan from the west at Jericho.
Read MoreTaking Stock
Jul 17, 2004 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Masei | Mattot
In these concluding parshiyot of Sefer B’midbar (Numbers), the Israelites are full of anticipation. They camp near Jericho on the plains of Moab looking forward to their entry into the Promised Land. Yet, even at this future-oriented juncture, as it does so often, the Torah takes stock of the past: “These were the marches of the Israelites who started out from the land of Egypt, troop by troop, in the charge of Moses and Aaron” (Numbers 33:1). We are reminded explicitly of the Exodus from Egypt. We hear of every stop the Israelites made on their journey. Only then can God give Moses instructions about moving on to Israel (33:50).
Read MoreHistory Does Not Repeat Itself
Jul 26, 2003 By Lewis Warshauer | Commentary | Masei | Mattot
History does not repeat itself. The experience of the past is valuable not so much for its similarity to the present as for its differences.
Read MoreTrue Refuge
Jul 6, 2002 By Melissa Crespy | Commentary | Masei | Mattot
The word “miklat” is repeated 10 times in the 34 verses of Chapter 35 of the Book of Numbers. It is designed to be a place of safety, a place of escape, a place free from danger, a place that shelters you. But in this year’s reading of Parashat Mattot—Mas’ei, I couldn’t see these words — “miklat” (refuge), “arei miklat” (cities of refuge), “miklato” (his refuge) — without thinking of the ubiquitous signs in modern day Israeli towns and cities which use the same word — “miklat” — but which in the modern context means “shelter”, as in “bomb shelter” or “air raid shelter.”
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