HONORING THE LORD OF THE SABBATH

MATOT-MASEI (Tribes-Journeys)

Numbers 30:2–36:13; Jeremiah 2:4–28, 3:4, 4:1–2; Matthew 23:1–25:46

"Moses said to the heads of the tribes [matot] of Israel:  'This is what the Lord commands:  When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.'"  (Numbers 30:1–2)

Last week, in Parasha Pinchas, God rewarded Aaron’s grandson, Pinchas (Phinehas), a pact of peace and everlasting priesthood in response to his zeal for the Lord.

In this week’s double Torah portion (parasha) of Matot-Masei, the Israelites are coming to an end of their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  

Both Miriam and Aaron, the sister and brother of Moses, have died in the desert; and Moses, in preparing for the end of his life in the desert as well, has passed on the mantle of leadership to his successor — Yehoshua (Joshua).

This week’s reading begins with the laws regarding vows and oaths, emphasizing our responsibility to be a people who keep our word and do what we have promised.

The Lord goes on to command Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites in retaliation for their seducing the Israelites at Baal-peor.  Both Balak, the King of Moab, and Balaam, who had advised that Israel would be cursed if they were drawn into sin, are killed in this battle.

After the battle, a massive quantity of booty is distributed to the soldiers, and a share is designated for the sanctuary.