In this week’s double Parsha of Mattot/Massei the people of Israel are about to wage war to fulfil their inheritance of the Promised Land. All systems are go, when two of the tribes seem to baulk and say they want to stay where they are, on the eastern side of the Jordan river.
Words leave an indelible impression on the world imprinting a spiritual legacy that changes the Cosmos, especially a vow – a powerful use of words. Hence, we always add an exclusion clause ‘beli neder’ – “I say this but not as a vow”. Always keep your word. The world depends on it.
The Jewish penal system didn’t use prisons, but rather rehabilitation cities called an Ir Miklat. There was also a law requiring the directions to an Ir Miklat to be clearly marked on the highways and readily visible. In a sense each one of us is also a signpost to a personal place of safety and…
There are 42 spiritual journeys in life. Each one is necessary as a prerequisite to the next one. Some may be long and some may be short. But the Torah is the smart app that guides you through the cosmic maze, as does waze guide the driver seeking the location of the address.
Life’s obstacles are pointers and instructions for growth and direction – but only if we are mindful of the potential within the new moment
Mattot means wood as does Sheivet. But one means a rod and the other a branch. The difference: one is cut off from its source and the other still connected. We live both dimensions: ‘cut off’ because it seems that world is ‘natural’ devoid of divine influence. But also there is a profound recognition of…
