Matot
Tribes are like branches of the same tree. When they are together they are unbreakable.
To take an oath is no easy thing. To break one is harder yet. Midian is one if Israel’s mortal and moral enemies. Darkness is not negotiated with; it is only vanquished by light. Then, when one turns night into day, the results are bountiful and shared. Two and half tribes desire to settle in the lands east of the Jordan. Only when Moses sees that they will lead the vanguard in conquering the Land if Israel, is Moses satisfied that they do so not to separate from their brothers but rather to uplift them further.
Matot-Masei: Tzugekumene
Response to a provocative letter: ‘The feeling of “us” and “them” was an undercurrent in the interactions between FFB’s and BT’s or non-observant Jews’.
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Matos: Religious Violence Part II
The context behind waging war in Biblical historical events and the Torah’s perspective thereon, as seen in Parshat Matot in the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar).
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Matos-Massei: Why is Jerusalem Still Burning
Torah chapters read in the Three Weeks of destruction address issues of Jerusalem under siege: the link between Hezbollah and the Babylonians & Romans.
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Matos-Masei: 1967: The Summer of Awakening Part II
This week’s essay – a sequel to last week – discusses the power of inspiration and the profound consequences of not acting on a call from above….
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42 Journeys Part 7
This column has been following these journeys as we read through the book of Numbers – in an attempt to decipher the personal application and psycho-spiritual meaning and significance of the 42 journeys.
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Matos-Massei: One Small Step
If our “one step” on the moon can humbly remind us that the internal “moon” of our own inner malchus/dignity remains intact, and that it can actually experience rebirth and renewal, than this indeed is “one giant leap for mankind.”
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Mattot: World War III
Rabbi Jacobson discusses the tragic murder of Leiby Kletzky, and calls for a war against cruelty to children.
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Matos Massei: Attack in Bulgaria
The angrier you get about events surrounding Israel, the more you should channel that intensity into positive action to create a spiritual revolution in your life, in your home, in your community and in your corner of the world. This is the true conquest of Israel.
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Matot: What Can I Do About the Situation in Israel?
Let us create a true revolution. Let us reconnect to our Divine mission. Let us move heaven and earth with our actions. We have been promised that when we do, we will save the universe – literally.
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Signpost: Cities of Refuge
Discover the spiritual meaning of the Biblical cities of refuge. You can create spiritual cities of refuge in your life. The imperative to build cities of refuge has special meaning to us today, when the roads of life are teeming with spiritual refugees. It is our sacred duty to station ourselves at all the crossroads and serve as living signposts, calling out “Refuge! Refuge!” and pointing the way to the haven of Torah.
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