Hamaayan/The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Parashat Matot-Masei Volume VII/Number 38 (325) 28 Tamuz 5753/July 17, 1993 Bnei Yisrael's journey from Egypt to Eretz Yisrael consisted of 42 segments. In Parashat Masei, we read the names of the places where Bnei Yisrael camped along the way. R' Shlomo Aviner, shlita, notes that our Parasha in effect summarizes the story of Bnei Yisrael's formation, as each camp represents an event. Bnei Yisrael's experiences in the desert included both high points and low points. The prophets describe angels as "standing" -- they have no potential for growth. People and nations, however, do not stand still; they move, sometimes in the right direction and sometimes the wrong way. This is how they grow. One of the holiest of Hashem's Names in His 42-letter Name. R' Aviner explains that the most important of the ways in which Hashem reveals Himself in this world is through the history of the Jewish people. Thus that history began with 42 steps, paralleling that Name of G-d. (Tal Chermon p.291) ************************************ "Exact Bnei Yisrael's revenge from the Midianites, then you will be gathered to your people." (31:2) Rashi notes (on verse 3) that even though Moshe heard that he would die after this war, he did not delay the battle. One might think that Moshe's reaction is a sign of unusual righteousness, writes R' Chaim Eleazri, zatzal (Rabbi in Cantan, Ohio), but such a belief is incorrect. This type of behavior is expected of a person, and one who does not fulfill this expectation is punished. We learn this from the case of Yehoshua. Chazal ask: Why did Yehoshua live a shorter life than his teacher Moshe? Because Yehoshua delayed conquering the land so that he would live longer. What Moshe did is no more than what the Mitzvot require. The Torah demands self-sacrifice. (Netivei Chaim IV p.340) ************************************ How could a Tzaddik such as Yehoshua delay conquering Eretz Yisrael for the reason cited? R' Yitzchak Levi, shlita, suggests that Yehoshua based his actions on Moshe's admonition to Bnei Yisrael, "I know that after my death you will become degenerate...." (Devarim 31:29). Chazal ask: Did that in fact happen? Rather, as long as Yehoshua lived, the spirit of Moshe lived as well. Moshe's prophecy was instead fulfilled after Yehoshua's death. Yehoshua knew that after his own death, Bnei Yisrael would worship idols. This is why he wanted to prolong his life. We now see even more clearly how exacting Hashem's accounting is. Even though Yehoshua had an arguably worthy excuse, he nevertheless contradicted Hashem's Will, and he was therefore punished for it. Moshe could have argued that he should delay fighting Midian in order that he could live to teach Torah to Bnei Yisrael, but he did not do so. Yehoshua should have followed his teacher's example. (Parshiyot b'Sifrei haNevi'im p.135) ************************************ When the names of the princes of the tribes are listed in chapter 34, most of them are referred to as being "of the tribe of the sons of...." (Reuven, Shimon, etc.) However, two of them, Binyamin and Yehuda are referred to only as being "of the tribe of..." Why? R' Moshe Sternbuch, shlita, explains that Binyamin and Yehuda were the tribes which were destined to provide kings for Yisrael (i.e. Shaul and David, respectively). Even though a king or other leader, like every person, comes from a tribe, he should not consider himself to be "of the sons of...." Rather, he must belong to all of the people. (Ta'am vaDa'at) ************************************ The Three Weeks Chazal say, "When Av enters, we decrease our joy." R' Shimon Schwab, shlita, notes that we are told to decrease our joy, but we are not told to extinguish it. King David exhorts us several times in Tehilim, "Serve Hashem with joy." Joy, says R' Schwab should be like the flame on a stove. Sometimes we turn it up, and sometimes, down. The pilot light, however, we never extinguish. How can one be joyful in the midst of the mourning which we experience during the Three Weeks? If nothing else, says R' Schwab, we can be joyful in the knowledge that by mourning over the Temple and the exile we are doing Hashem's Will. (quoted in In the Footsteps of the Maggid p.266) ************************************ Why, of all months, is Av called "Menacham" - the month of consolation? Because, says R' David Cohen, shlita (in the name of R' Mendel of Kotsk), we are consoled by the knowledge that it is Hashem, our loving Father, and not a stranger, who is afflicting us. (ibid. p.267) ************************************ Dear Readers: This is the last issue of Volume VII of Hamaayan. After more than six years and 324 issues, our staff is taking its first-ever vacation. Think of it as a sabbatical, one which is well-timed, as Hamaaayn is now in its seventh year. Appropriately enough, this vacation will allow us to prepare to bring you Divrei Torah on the "real" sabbatical, the Shemittah year which begins on this coming Rosh haShanah. Our presentation will IY"H focus on both the philosophy of the Shemittah and the broad outlines of its laws. An unrelated feature which is also planned for next year is our return to presenting biographies of our sages. As in our first years, we will IY"H choose biographies which in some way (e.g. the subject's Yahrzeit) relates to the date of each issue. While we are gone, we are pleased to reprint past issues of Hamaayan. This will continue through Yom Kippur. Please note that the sponsorships which will appear on these issues are not reprints. Our sincere appreciation goes out to those who heeded our reminder to call in their sponsorships far in advance. Please note also that the next available sponsorship is Parashat Lech Lecha (8 Marcheshvan/October 23). Please write to us if you wish to reserve that date. Wishing you a pleasant and productive summer and a "K'tivah vaChatimah Tovah," The Editors ************************************ The learning schedule for this Shabbat is: Kilayim 1:6-7 O.C. 645:3-5 Nazir 62 Yerushalmi - Terumot 13 ************************************ Donations to Hamaayan are tax deductible