• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • JOIN
  • MEMBER PORTAL
  • DONATE
    • MAKE A DONATION
    • CREATE A NAMED ENDOWED FUND
    • SECURE OUR FUTURE
    • LIFE & LEGACY
    • THE TEMPLE APPEAL
  • PAY ONLINE
5101 US-42 • LOUISVILLE, KY 40241 • (502) 423-1818
The Temple - Congregation Adath Israel Brith Sholom
  • About
    • Our History
    • Our Clergy
      • Rabbi David
      • Cantor Lauren
      • Rabbi Diamond​
      • Rabbi Rooks
      • Rabbi Rapport
    • Our Staff
    • Our Leadership
      • Committees
    • Our Campus
      • Archives & Museum
      • Gift Shop
      • Temple Library
      • Temple Treasures
    • The Temple Cemetery
    • Bulletin
    • FAQs
    • Join Us
  • Spiritual Life
    • Shabbat Services
    • Jewish Holidays
    • Life Cycle Events
    • Becoming Jewish
    • Shir Chadash
    • Caring Rabbi
  • Learning & Living
    • Adults
      • Monday Classes
      • Temple Scholars
      • Torah Study
      • Senior University
    • Children
      • Trager Early Childhood Education Center
      • The Temple Religious School
      • B’nei Mitzvah Program
      • GUCI
    • College
    • Torah Tidbit
  • Community
    • *New* Member Portal
    • Member Directory
    • Brotherhood
    • Sisterhood/WRJ
    • Young Adult Group
    • LGBTQ Equality
    • Chavurat Shalom
    • Boy Scout Troop 30
    • Volunteering
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Event Highlights & Pictures
    • Live Streaming
  • Contact
    • Have a Question?
    • New to Louisville?
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot Mishpatim

Matot – Mas-ei (Numbers 30:2–36:13)

July 9, 2021/in Torah Tidbit

This Week’s Torah Portion: Matot – Mas-ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי (Numbers 30:2–36:13)

It says in the Talmud that the Torah is “black fire written on white fire.” These words have been understood in many ways, but they all begin with an image of the fire you can see (the black fire) and the fire you can’t see (the white fire).

This week’s Torah Portion, Matot – Mas-ei, is a lesson on Black Fire and White Fire. The black fire, the story written in black ink upon a white parchment page, begins with the tale of the tribes of Reuben and Gad who came to Moses and said that they would actually prefer not to settle in the Promised Land, rather here where they stood, on the far side of the Jordan River. They were herdsmen, and this looked to be fine land for grazing their flocks and herds. Moses replies: “Do you mean your brothers should go to war while you stay here?”

The Torah has no punctuation marks, no frowning face emojis, to help us understand the tone of Moses words. But, it seems clear that Moses is upset. You can see it in the White Fire of the page. There is a long blank space immediately following Moses’ question. And in that space this moment, and the next moment, and the entire history of the Jewish people hangs in the balance. Moses is thinking, “We have been here before. They are just like their ancestors who feared to enter the Promised Land 40 years ago.” The leaders of Reuben and Gad are weighing their words, “How can we assure Moses and the rest of the Children of Israel that we want only a good home for our families and our flocks?”

And then out of the White Fire the Black Fire returns: the tribes of Reuben and Gad step forward and reply: “We shall build sheepfolds here for our flocks and towns for our children to stay in. Then we will serve as shock-troops in the vanguard for the Children of Israel… We will not return to our homes until every one of the Israelites is in possession of his portion.” And out of that same White Fire Moses hears their plea and agrees.

Reading between the words and beneath the lines of the Torah we find the heart of a nation being born: black fire written on white fire, out of many we have become one.

Parsha Matot – Mas-ei Torah Summary:

Moses explains to the Israelites the laws concerning vows made by men and women. (30:2—17) Israel wages war against the Midianites. (31:1—18) The laws regarding the spoils of war are outlined. (31:19—54) The tribes of Reuben and Gad are granted permission to stay on the east bank of the Jordan River. (32:1—42) The itinerary of the Israelites through the wilderness from Egypt to Jordan is delineated. (33:1-49) Moses tells Israel to remove the current inhabitants of the land that God will give them and to destroy their gods. (33:50-56) The boundaries of the Land of Israel are defined, along with those of the Levitical cities and the cities of refuge. (34:1-35:15) God makes a precise distinction between murder and manslaughter. (35:16-34) The laws of inheritance as they apply to Israelite women are delineated. (36:1-13) Matot – Mas-ei

Tags: Matot - Mas-ei, Torah Tidbit
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
You might also like
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot MishpatimMikeitz – Hanukkah – מִקֵּץ – חֲנֻכָּה (Genesis 41:1−44:17)
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot MishpatimVayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot MishpatimMikeitz (Genesis 41:1−44:17)
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot MishpatimSh’mot (Exodus 1:1−6:1)
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot MishpatimNoach – נֹחַ (Genesis 6:9−11:32)
Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot MishpatimMishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

Latest Bulletin

March 2023
March 2023
Download Now!

Latest Stories

  • Annual Hanukkah Dinner 2022December 19, 2022 - 9:00 am
  • Hanukkah LanternsDecember 18, 2022 - 9:00 am
  • Bagels and BelongingDecember 5, 2022 - 10:00 am
  • Religious School Hanukkah ShoppingDecember 5, 2022 - 9:00 am
  • Ben Norton named as member of the Sing Unto God Teen Songleading FellowshipNovember 21, 2022 - 4:26 pm
  • Fill the Freezer Family Mitzvah EventNovember 15, 2022 - 10:46 am
  • Rabbi Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport’s CelebrationMay 24, 2022 - 9:22 am
  • Passover 2022 at The TempleApril 26, 2022 - 12:52 pm
  • The Temple Welcomes Cantor Lauren AdesnikFebruary 24, 2022 - 1:27 pm
  • An Appeal on Behalf of our CommonwealthDecember 14, 2021 - 4:44 pm

Archive

  • March 2023 (3)
  • February 2023 (6)
  • January 2023 (6)
  • December 2022 (11)
  • November 2022 (8)
  • October 2022 (4)
  • September 2022 (5)
  • August 2022 (4)
  • July 2022 (5)
  • June 2022 (4)
  • May 2022 (5)
  • April 2022 (6)
  • March 2022 (4)
  • February 2022 (5)
  • January 2022 (4)
  • December 2021 (7)
  • November 2021 (4)
  • October 2021 (6)
  • September 2021 (4)
  • August 2021 (5)
  • July 2021 (5)
  • June 2021 (4)
  • May 2021 (4)
  • April 2021 (5)
  • March 2021 (6)
  • February 2021 (5)
  • January 2021 (5)
  • December 2020 (5)
  • November 2020 (6)
  • October 2020 (6)
  • September 2020 (6)
  • August 2020 (5)
  • July 2020 (6)
  • June 2020 (7)
  • May 2020 (7)
  • April 2020 (7)
  • March 2020 (5)
  • February 2020 (4)
  • January 2020 (6)
  • December 2019 (8)
  • November 2019 (14)
  • October 2019 (9)
  • September 2019 (6)
  • August 2019 (13)
  • July 2019 (11)
  • June 2019 (14)
  • May 2019 (6)
  • April 2019 (11)
  • March 2019 (15)
  • February 2019 (9)
  • January 2019 (6)
  • December 2018 (10)
  • November 2018 (7)
  • October 2018 (9)
  • September 2018 (3)
  • August 2018 (3)
  • July 2018 (2)
  • June 2018 (3)

GET IN TOUCH

Contact The Temple

5101 US-42, Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 423-1818

templenews@thetemplelouky.org

To contact a Rabbi about a confidential matter, please email CaringRabbi@gmail.com

Kroger Community Rewards
Shop Amazon

HELPFUL LINKS

Join The Temple

New to Louisville?

Register for an Event

Volunteer Opportunities

Religious School

Preschool

URJWhere Jewish Tradition Meets Tomorrow

THE TEMPLE WEEKLY EMAIL

 

Weekly news, right in your inbox

© Copyright 2021 – The Temple | Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Pinchas (Numbers 25:10−30:1)Torah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot MishpatimTorah Tidbits - Study Judaism with Rabbi Rapport and Rabbi David. Ki Tisa Tetzaveh Pekudei Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)The opening word of Leviticus that gives the book and this first parashah its name is Vayikra Tazria Metzorah Achrei Mot Emor B’har B’hukotai Sh’lach L’cha Korach Matot Masei D'varim Va-et’chanan Eikev Nitzavim Chayei Sarah Tol'dot MishpatimD’varim (Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22)
Scroll to top