Parshat Matot Massei
07/25/2017 10:03:33 AM
Author | |
Date Added | |
Automatically create summary | |
Summary |
When B’nai Gad and B’nai Reuven initially ask to inherit the land on the other side of the Jordan, Moshe is furious. He responds, לָ֣מָּה תְנִיא֔וּן אֶת־לֵ֖ב בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מֵֽעֲבֹר֙ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם השם, “Why do you discourage the children of Israel from crossing over to the land which the Lord has given them?” This is quite a heated reaction. What is at the core of Moshe’s frustration? In the verses that follow, Moshe compares their request with what the meraglim, the spies, did. We see that Moshe is fundamentally concerned that B’nai Gad and B’nai Reuven’s request is not only a rejection of the land, but that it is also the beginning of national discouragement. When the meraglim discouraged the people about the land, it destroyed a generation. Moshe cannot see that happen again, and so he is furious with B’nai Gad and B’nai Reuven and wants to put an immediate stop to their inclination. Fortunately, they heed Moshe’s words and agree to fight with their brothers and enter into the land regardless of which side of the Jordan their inheritance is on. From this exchange, we learn how gravely or positively our actions can impact others. Even when we do not think others will notice or be impacted, how we hold ourselves affects the morale of those around us. Today, reflect on who looks to you as a leader, as a role model. To whom do you look? How are you a positive influence, a kiddush Hashem, on those around you?
--Rabbanit Alissa
Tue, September 16 2025
23 Elul 5785
Today's Calendar
: 6:35am |
: 6:40pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Sep 17 Shiur B'Ivrit: Coffee Customs in Jewish History Wednesday, Sep 17 7:30pm |
Sep 20 |
Sep 20 |
Sep 20 Machzor Stories at Seudah Shlishit Shabbat, Sep 20 6:40pm |
Sep 22 Mincha/Ma'ariv Monday, Sep 22 6:30pm |
This week's Torah portion is Parshat Nitzavim
Shabbat, Sep 20 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Sep 19, 6:36pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Sep 20, 7:31pm |
Erev Rosh Hashana
Monday, Sep 22 |
Zmanim
Alot Hashachar | 5:23am |
Earliest Tallit | 5:52am |
Netz (Sunrise) | 6:37am |
Latest Shema | 9:42am |
Zman Tefillah | 10:44am |
Chatzot (Midday) | 12:48pm |
Mincha Gedola | 1:19pm |
Mincha Ketana | 4:24pm |
Plag HaMincha | 5:42pm |
Shkiah (Sunset) | 6:59pm |
Tzeit Hakochavim | 7:36pm |
More >> |
Join Our Mailing List
Privacy Settings | Privacy Policy | Member Terms
©2025 All rights reserved. Find out more about ShulCloud