Jewish Things & Thoughts in Harrison NY For the Week of July 13th– July 19th Tamuz 15th to Tamuz 21st parasha Matot

For the Week of July 6th– July 12th   Tamuz 8th to Tamuz 14th parasha Pinchas

We would like people to be aware of some of the Jewish things and thoughts taking place in Harrison NY.

Tuesday this week is the Fast of the 17th day of Tamuz.  The fast commemorates five separate tragic events that occurred to the Jewish people. It also marks the beginning of mourning period known as “The Three Weeks.”  This mourning period culminates with the Fast of the Ninth Day of Av, which marks the destruction of both Holy temples.  On the 17th day of Tamuz the following events transpired:

1. Moses broke the first set of the Ten Commandments in response to seeing the Children of Israel worshiping the Golden Calf;

2. During the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians the lack of animals caused the Jews to cease offering the daily Temple sacrifices;

Here is a Jewish thought.

This week we read the Tora portion (“parasha”) known as “Matot” (Numbers 30:2-32:42).  There are several valuable lessons we can learn from this week’s parasha. 

In most years this week’s parasha would be read in conjunction with the following parasha.  That double reading brings to a close the fourth book of the Bible known as the Book of Numbers or in Hebrew “BaMidbar” which literally means “In the Wilderness.”  Thereafter, we would begin the fifth and final book of the Tora known as Deuteronomy or in Hebrew as “Devarim”, which means either “Words” or “Things”.  What is interesting is this week’s parasha, Matot, also has a focus on words.  It begins by discussing how to annul vows made by married women or single women living in their father’s homes.  These women in biblical times may have required the assistance of theirs their husbands or fathers to fulfill their house.  Later in the parasha we see how troops went off to war failed to head Moshe’s instructions and to be reprimand.  We also encounter to tribes who requested to receive their allotment of land on the east side of the Jordan River.  Moshe criticizes them on several counts.  Such actions could dishearten the rest of the nation about to set off on the conquest of the land.  Further, in making the request these tribes say they will build stockades for their animals and cities for their children and then join the rest of the people in conquering the land west of the Jordan.  Moshe corrects them noting that they should build cities for their children and then stockades for their animals.  In the portion of the prophets read in conjunction with this week’s parasha, the Haftora, the prophet Jeremiah response to G-d’s (“HaShem’s) call by noting that he is a youth and not a man of words.  HaShem rejects this assertion.  HaShem says in Jeremiah will speak that which HaShem commands.  Words are powerful things.  The first book of the Bible begins with HaShem creating the world through words.  The last book of the Bible will begin with Moses uttering words the people before he passes away.  This parasha reminds us of the power of words.  They can affect and bind other people, they can dishearten other people, at times there can be disastrous consequences words are left unheeded.  Everyone’s words are important, be the person male or female, adult or child.  The power of speech sets us apart from animals.  The proper use of speech can bring us closer to G-d.

The Young Israel of Harrison, New York (YIOH) is a Modern Orthodox synagogue offering an intimate religious and communal experience.  Sabbath morning services begin at 9 am, mincha/maariv services on Friday and Saturday vary with sundown, and services on Sunday morning are held at 8 am.  For those who would like more information or would like to spend Shabbos in the area, visit the Young Israel of Harrison’s website at www.yioh.org or email Yiohnews@aol.com

Rabbi Bienenfeld gives weekly Talmud and Chumash classes at 7:00 pm on Monday and Tuesday evenings, respectively.  Please check the calendar posted on YIOH.org to confirm the schedule.

© W. Fraenkel 2014