August 2, 2024
Parashat Matot-Masei
This week we read parts from a double portion of Torah: Mattot-Massei
1st Sidrah-Mattot
The first Sidrah is named for one word in its 1st Passuk: “And Moses spoke to the heads of the Israelite Mattot – Tribes”. The subject that is communicated by Moses to the heads of tribes, deals with vows.
“A man who makes a vow to The Lord, or takes an oath to impose an obligation on himself, shall not break his pledge” (Numbers 30:3).
2nd Sidrah-Massei
The 2nd Sidrah is named after one word “Eile Massei – These are the voyages – of the Israelites” (Numbers 33:1). We are given at the outset, a detailed listing of all the stations that the Israelites camped at, in the past 40 years. It starts with leaving Egypt. “And the Israelites left Rameses (Egypt) and they camped at Succoth” (Numbers 33:5).