Parashat Matot-Masei

Many of the moments we once took for granted can be appreciated as miracles if we only stop to notice.

How the kosher practice of waiting between meat and dairy reminds us of Moses' discomfort with violence.

The most effective and enduring changes create justice for all members of society.

Awareness of the wholeness in the Torah opens our eyes to the wholeness of the world.

The Torah's establishment of Cities of Refuge introduces the idea that intention determines the meaning of an action.

The laws of vows and the rabbinic cautions against making them teach the holiness and power of the spoken word.

The laws of nullifying vows teach us that our silence and inaction in the face of contemporary injustice and oppression is akin to assenting to it.

Cities of Refuge are symbols of God's unconditional love and constant presence among people.

How can we stimulate and support women to fulfill their dreams?

All people must know that they have value.

Everyone must have a safe place to be before anyone can feel at home.

The biblical "migrash" principle provides a response to urban sprawl.

What accounts for the negative correlation between material excess and awareness of the Divine?

Every step of the Israelites' journey is framed in relation with God.

Lessons from the biblical cities of refuge.

A lesson from the Torah's treatment of the Israelites' travels.

The list of the Israelites' encampments during their journeys in the wilderness reminds us of the importance of preserving and retelling our own stories.

The severity of the war against the Midianites should motivate us to examine our own behavior and root out our own forms of idolatry.

The laws of vows teach that our words have the power to create holiness between us.

The request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad to settle outside of the Land of Israel raises the issue of balancing communal and individual needs.

The war against Midian teaches that when Israel does fight wars, they must fight with compassion and a minimum of casualties.

Our discomfort with the Torah's command to wipe out other nations stems from the contrast between that directive and the Torah's usual emphasis on respect for human life.

Masei: A resource for families.

Taking a vow.

Matot: A Resource for Families

A prophecy of destruction that is rife with metaphor.

Learn more about the weekly Torah portion.

Learn more about the weekly Torah portion.

The first haftarah of oppression (for Parashat Matot or Parashat Pinhas), and the haftarah read by Sephardim for Parashat Shemot.

The sons of Reuben and Gad have promised Moses that they will help the other tribes settle the Promised Land before settling across the River Jordan.

Numbers 33:1-36:13

Numbers 30:2-32:42

The Levites' city dwellings remind us of the importance of green, agricultural spaces for encountering God's creation.

The laws of the Cities of Refuge emphasize the sacredness and infinite value of every human life.

The Book of Numbers, full of bloodshed and division, ends with a call for unity and a discussion of the sanctity of life.

The list of places through which the Israelites traveled in the wilderness teaches us to understand Judaism through our everyday experiences.