Matot-Masei: Our Ongoing Journey

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Parshat Matot-Masei recounts Bnei Yisrael’s forty-year journey through the desert as they approach their ultimate destination – the Land of Israel. Many commentators ask why the Torah repeats the list of masaot (journeys) when they have already been described. Their answers offer wisdom and hope for the Jewish people’s own journey today.

The Midrash Tanhuma likens this to a parent who takes a sick child from place to place in search of healing. Afterwards, the parent recounts each stop along the journey, recalling the hardships endured and the healing that followed. So too, God reminds Bnei Yisrael of the challenges they overcame, so they may draw strength from the past and face the future with confidence. Rambam, in the Guide to the Perplexed, explains that recounting the places where Israel traveled preserves the memory of the miracles through which God sustained the Jewish people in the wilderness. By remembering these miracles, future generations will be inspired with faith and trust in God. Sforno understands the repetition as praise for Bnei Yisrael. The journeys are recorded, he writes, “in order to praise the Jewish people,” who faithfully followed God through a vast and dangerous desert.

We may have arrived at our promised land in 1948, but the Jewish people, in Israel and the diaspora, are still on a journey filled with achievements, loss, miracles, challenges and victories. The biblical repetition of the masaot provides a template for successfully navigating the current journey of the Jewish people: draw strength from the past, recognize the small miracles along the way, appreciate our resilience, and keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate destination – a secure, flourishing Israel and a redeemed future for the Jewish people. Chazak chazak ve’nitchazek. Shabbat shalom -Karen Miller Jackson

Parshat Matot-Masei: How Leaders Should Speak

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What is the closing message of the book of Bamidbar for Jewish leaders?

Parshat Matot-Masei opens with an unusual topic – the laws of nedarim (vows). The commentaries question why Moshe seems to direct these laws only to “the tribal leaders of Israel.” Ramban comments that this section was in fact said only to the leaders, since the laws of vows required a particular expertise which only these Sages possessed. Rashi however, teaches that these laws were taught to all of Israel, but Moshe taught them to the leaders first, to honor them. Either way, the leaders are singled out as having a unique responsibility when it comes to vows. Vows highlight the power of speech and the significance of words – for the good and the bad – as it says, “[One who makes a vow] must carry out all that has come out of his mouth.”   

Perhaps these laws are placed at this point, as the second generation prepares to enter Israel, to remind the tribal leaders of their responsibility to inspire and lead the people into Israel. This is particularly appropriate as previously the tribal representatives used words to defame the land of Israel in the meraglim story, delaying entry to Israel. Hence, when Reuven and Gad request to settle the east bank of Jordan, they too are told by Moshe to fulfill what they promised “with their mouths,” solidifying their commitment.

Leaders have a responsibility to speak up, speak well, and be a positive influence. To speak up — as in the famous story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, where silence and passivity led to the destruction of the mikdash. To speak well — the Talmud (Nedarim!) teaches that Jerusalem was laid waste because the Sages did not say brachot over the Torah before learning. And, as we say each morning, “Please G-d, make the words of Your Torah pleasant in our mouths and in the mouths of all of Your people.” To positively influence — that is the lesson learned from the meraglim and highlighted by nedarim. 

Especially now, during the three weeks, may our leadership be reminded of their responsibility: to speak up for justice, to speak respectfully, and to be a positive influence on the Jewish people. Shabbat Shalom –Karen Miller Jackson