Parshas Mattos 5765

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

Moshe was commanded his final duties before he would die and the nation could enter the Promised Land. The people were instructed to fight the Midianites in retaliation for having seduced the people to sin, which resulted in the death of many Jews. Pinchas, who had zealously countered the immorality, was instructed to complete the job by leading the army to war. Although Moshe was informed that he would die shortly after this war, he did not delay in carrying out G-d’s command. His concern for the fulfillment of G-d’s will preceded his own desire to live.

The battle was successful, and the enemies were all put to death, including Bal’am, who had instigated the trouble. The people took the spoils, but they had to first kosher the utensils they had taken before they could use them. This is the source for the laws of koshering vessels through burning or boiling, and also the laws of immersing new vessels in a mikveh before using them. The livestock from the spoils was divided among the fighters, the rest of the nation, and a portion for the Tabernacle treasury and the Levites. Although they had not been involved in the fighting itself, the spiritual service of the Levites was an important factor in the miraculous victory, and thus they too deserved a part.

The tribes of Reuben and Gad approached Moshe with a request to receive their portion of the Promised Land in the trans-Jordanian side of the country. They had much livestock, and they figured the lush and plentiful land would suit them better. Moshe, however, objected sharply to their request, accusing them of a similar sin to that of their grandparents who had spurned the Land by sending spies. The two tribes clarified their request that they had not meant to desert their brothers. To the contrary, after they would house their families and animals, they would join their brothers to conquer the Land with them. Moshe agreed to this condition.

Although initially only Reuben and Gad had asked for their portion, Moshe divided the tribe of Menashe and sent them with these two tribes. His rationale was that the people of Menashe, descendants of Joseph, were renowned for their love of the land. This was seen from the request of the daughters of Tzelafchad, whose love of the Land motivated them to ask for their own portion. Coupled with the fact that half their family remained on the other side of the Jordan River, Moshe figured that this would prevent the other two tribes from losing their feelings for the Promised Land.

“When a man takes a vow....” (Numbers 30:3)

A man came to Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein for assistance in releasing himself from a vow he had made to stop smoking. Rav Zilberstein responded that since that type of vow is like a mitzvah, he could not be released. The man, however, insisted that he be released through a loophole, as mentioned in the Torah, that the court may find a clause wherein the person may be released, if at the time he made the vow there were things he did not realize--for example, he didn't know how difficult it would be.

Rav Zilberstein explained that one could only be released if we can assume that the vow was made mistakenly at the time, as it was not thought through carefully. Here, however, we can assume that the vow was thought through carefully, since it is wrong to smoke, and to the contrary, the present loophole is a mistake. In this instance the vow must be adhered to.

Did You Know...

During the three-week period preceding Tisha B’Av, one should avoid making major purchases upon which the Shehechiyanu blessing is recited, for example a new home or car. During the last nine days, even more activities are forbidden, such as doing laundry, buying any type of clothing or items that bring joy, such as gifts. If one will suffer a substantial loss by waiting until after Tisha B’Av, the items may be purchased.

One should not do gardening during the Nine Days, unless it will cause a loss of money. Mowing the lawn is permitted. Home decorating is also prohibited, though necessary repairs, such as plumbing or electric, are permitted.