Matot
Tribes & Vows
The Power of Vows
The double portion of Matot-Massei starts off with a detailed description of vows. It is important to understand the serious nature of using our words to make a vow or an oath and the potential for positive or negative repercussions. Following the Israelites’ immoral conduct and idol-worshiping that resulted in a plague which killed 24,000 people, vows were used in a positive way to create boundaries. Healthy boundaries create spiritual freedom.
By stating that you will or will not do a particular thing or behave in a certain way, you can create a framework for your behavior. Our words possess tremendous creative power. Every statement creates an opening in the higher worlds for that reality to manifest., we create an opening in the higher worlds for that which we stated to come true. A problem potentially arises when we make a vow and then do not follow through on our word. We essentially have created an opening for which to fulfill the vow and if we do not complete it, the space remains open for negativity to enter.
This concept is so important that on Erev Rosh Hashanah, we recite a special prayer in front of witnesses which serves to annul all vows taken and not fulfilled in the prior year. Similarly, you will sometimes hear a person end a statement with the words – “bli neder” – which serves to qualify the commitment to do something without the strength of a vow. Even everyday promises - "I'll call you tomorrow" or "I'll help you move on Sunday" - deserve our attention. Our integrity begins with honoring our word.
We also see in the Torah how the power of our words has tremendous impact. When Jacob stated that “whoever stole Laban’s idols will die” – he did not know it was Rachael, who subsequently died during childbirth. Similarly, we say “G-d forbid”, whenever we hear negative words in order to prevent the words from manifesting within our reality. The lesson in this portion is to pay attention to our words and try to avoid making vows which we know we cannot or will not fulfill.
Overcoming Temptation
The portion of Matot continues with what appears to be a harsh decree by G-d to destroy the Midianites, the people who had tempted the Israelites into immoral acts and idol-worshiping – ultimately resulting in a deadly plague. Further, we read how Moses became angry when he found out that some of the women were left alive and then instructs the officers to have all of the women killed – except those that had not “known a man”.
We learn the importance of removing negativity at its source rather than merely managing its symptoms. Similar to how the Israelite’s had to completely eradicate the source of temptation and negativity in Midian, we too must make sure when we look to remove ourselves from a negative situation or bad habit. Lasting transformation requires complete commitment. Partial change often leaves the door open for old habits to return. The lesson here is to make the effort 100% when trying to overcome any type of temptation.
Importance of Sharing
At the end of Matot – the descendants of the tribes of Reuben and Gad ask Moses for land for their families and livestock in an area across the Jordan River from Israel, not within the Holy-land. G-d becomes angered as a result of their desire to not follow G-d’s word to enter Canaan (Israel) and threatens to destroy the entire community – or have them wander for another 40 years.
This was similar to what happened with the spies in the portion of Shelach, when they reported back to Moses with stories about Israel which scared the community. The difference here, however, is that the tribes subsequently come to Moses and say they will arm themselves and lead the children of Israel across the Jordan into Canaan. They would fight and subdue the inhabitants of the land and would not return to their desired place until after “all the children of Israel had inherited his inheritance within the land”. This appeases G-d, and Moses gives them their inheritance outside of Israel, across the Jordan.
We can see how the act of sharing by the tribes of Reuben and Gad, going against their nature to fight on behalf of the other tribes, resulted in their wishes being fulfilled. Similarly, when we want something in our own lives, we should first ask ourselves how we can become the cause of that same blessing for someone else.
42-Step Journey
The portion of Massei read as part of this week’s double portion, commences with the recounting of the Israelites’ journey with Moses and Aharon from Egypt to Mount Sinai and then onto Israel. The 42 journeys represent and connects us to the 42-letter name of G-d revealed in the Zohar and found in the Ana Bekoach – a powerful ancient prayer used by the Kabbalists to connect to G-d and creation. Additional insight on the Ana Bekoach can be found here.
By reading the portion and connecting to the 42 journeys, we can activate the 42-letter name and bring the consciousness of creation into our lives. We also see how the Torah describes each journey as a distinct journey, meaning they journeyed from A to B and then the journeyed from B to C. Each time we make a journey in our lives, we are leaving a metaphysical Egypt (Mitzrayim) – which represents limits and boundaries and pushing ourselves to a higher state of consciousness. Every meaningful step forward is its own spiritual journey - leaving behind an old version of ourselves in order to embrace a higher level of consciousness.
The secret here is to keep journeying upward, never looking back at the past, but only to see it as an integral part of our future and current existence. The 42 journeys encapsulate the journey from Egypt (limitation) to Israel (holiness and infinite consciousness). We should strive to achieve freedom from limitation in every journey and every step forward within our lives.
Completing the 4th Book of Moses
As we conclude the Book of Numbers, we proclaim, "Chazak, Chazak, V'Nischazek"—"Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened." The word Chazak has the numerical value of 115. When said 3x, it equals 345, the same numerical value of Mem Hei Shin, one of the 72 Names of God used by Kabbalists to connect to strength and healing.
This declaration is more than tradition. It is a spiritual affirmation that every ending prepares us for a new beginning and that the strength we seek already exists within us.
May we connect this week to renewed strength, healing, and protection as we continue through the Three Weeks.
Practical Tools for the Week
1. Honor Your Word
Before making a commitment, pause and ask yourself if you truly intend to follow through. Speak intentionally, and whenever possible, let your "yes" mean yes.
2. Remove One Source of Temptation
Identify one habit, distraction, or environment that repeatedly pulls you away from your highest self. Rather than managing it, create enough distance to remove its influence.
3. Take the Next Step on Your Journey
The Israelites reached the Promised Land one journey at a time. Choose one meaningful step this week - no matter how small - that moves you closer to the person you are becoming.
Resources & Credits
The Weekly Wisdom emails and the ideas presented herein are compiled from the following sources:
Gutnick Edition Chumash with Rashi's commentary, Targum Onkelos, and commentary anthologized from Classic Rabbinic Texts and the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Apples from the Orchard - Gleanings from the Mystical Teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria on the Weekly Torah Portion
Kabbalistic Bible - Kabbalah Centre International, Inc
The Zohar - Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, various translations
Mysteries of the Kabbalah - Marc-Alain Ouaknin
Wikipedia
Other online written and video content that discusses and shares Kabbalistic Wisdom