"HaShem shall bless His people with peace!"(Psalms 29:11) Tammuz 27, 5784/August 2, 2024 This week's double Torah reading, Matot-Masei, concludes the book of Numbers and brings Israel's forty year desert sojourn to a close. It began with miracles that broke the will of Pharaoh and brought about the exodus of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. Miracles accompanied the newly freed slaves all the way from the Sea of Reeds to Mount Sinai, where the children of Israel received Torah and were transformed from Hebrew slaves to the free and independent nation of Israel, one nation under G-d, forever. Israel built a home for their G-d, a sanctuary in which HaShem's presence could dwell amongst His people. To be sure, Israel also had its lows, moments of despair, almost from the start. Learning to trust G-d and maintaining your faith is a constant effort, bolstered and strengthened, not by blind or passive reliance on the grace of G-d, but by action, by adherence to G-d's will, and day and night participation in helping HaShem's plans come to fruition. When Israel in the wilderness was most active, most involved in working with and for HaShem, when she was building the Tabernacle, organizing her encampments or fighting HaShem's wars, she was united and content. When Israel grew idle she sank into internecine conflict, uncalled for complaining and idolatry. But despite Israel's many descents, G-d forgave her and the people picked themselves up and carried on. Slowly, slowly, as the forty years progressed, HaShem lessened His direct intervention into the physical upkeep of the people, weaning the newborn-to-infant-to-toddler nation and teaching it to stand on its own and fend for itself, always, of course, under HaShem's divine protection. With the death of Miriam, the miraculous supply of water that was her gift to Israel vanished. Aharon's demise led to the evaporation of the clouds of glory that constantly shielded Israel from the scorching desert sun and more. And ultimately, with the death of Moshe, Israel's daily dietary supplement of morning manna, bread literally from heaven, from G-d's own kitchen, ceased to appear on the desert floor. Israel also had to develop into a fully functional fighting force. G-d led Israel across the Sea of Reeds, drowning the pursuing Egyptian army behind them. But by their next battle, against hate filled Amalek, Israel was compelled to begin to place her complete trust in HaShem, while taking up the fight on her own. Learning how to fight, learning how to create an army of twelve tribal divisions, learning how to advance and how to coordinate the movement between the twelve divisions, and learning how to take the battle to the enemy when all calls for peace fail, were also part of G-d's teaching to Israel. Israel is not to rely on miracles to fight its battles or press its cause, but miracles do happen, hidden or otherwise, when Israel is at its finest, united and determined to pursue G-d's will. By the time we read the final chapters of the book of Numbers, the nation of Israel are no longer children. In fact, the slaves that fled Egypt have all perished in the desert, and a new generation, one that never knew the sting of the lash, has arrived at adulthood. In the concluding chapters of Numbers we read of many wars that Israel must wage. The closer she gets to the promised land the greater is the resistance of the surrounding nations. Moshe, as commander in chief, with Yehoshua as his Chief of Staff and Pinchas as the anointed kohen who, with silver trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant, representing HaShem's very presence within the military encampment, lead Israel into battle after battle, with one goal in mind - victory - and with one simple instruction from HaShem - do not be afraid! While reading of Israel's years in the wilderness we often focus on her downfalls. Oftentimes they seem so uncalled for, so unjustified and sometimes just outright mystifying. But the one common thread which ties together all of Israel's mishaps is their humanity. Children of G-d, yes, but frail, fallible humans nevertheless. It is Israel's partnership, her covenant with HaShem, which grants her strength and guarantees her role, so long as Israel stays true to HaShem, as the eternal people. We may find it frustrating or disappointing that Israel's journey from slavery to freedom, from a covenant with HaShem and an inheritance in the land of Israel promised by Hashem, which began with breathtaking, nature bending miracles, should conclude with something so mundane and primitive as warfare. Could G-d not have simply lifted up and placed Israel within the land west of the Jordan, and be done with it? Alas, this is not how G-d works. We, His children, need to earn His promise, using the tools necessary to meet the challenges that nations who fear not HaShem, confront us with. Israel's modern history in many ways is a reprise of the journey recorded in Torah. From slavery and genocide, embattled Israel survived the holocaust and fought a bitter war to establish her independence in the land of Israel. Blood, sweat and tears, and many, many miracles, have transformed Israel's reality from exile to return, from slavery to freedom. But just as we are witnessing in the book of Numbers, even as Israel advances forward, G-dless nations rise up against her. Today Israel is fighting for her very survival a war being waged on seven fronts, against a wicked hate filled enemy sworn to Israel's annihilation. Just as the Israelites in the wilderness extended their hand in peace to her neighbors, Israel today has no greater desire than to live in peace amongst her fellow nations. But when war comes to Israel's door, Israel fights. G-d promised Israel an eternal inheritance within the land, but He didn't promise her a rose garden. Sometimes the thorns greatly outnumber the roses. Israel, girded with her faith in HaShem, fights on fearlessly. Israel, in the coming hours or days, is anticipating yet another unprecedented onslaught by her enemies. Israel has a world class army, replete with the most advanced weaponry on earth. But so much more importantly, Israel is armed with the one weapon no man and no nation can take away: Unshakable faith in HaShem! "HaShem shall grant strength to His people; HaShem shall bless His people with peace!" (Psalms 29:11) |
Tune in to this week's Temple Talk, as Yitzchak Reuven talks about The value of vengeance, the Democratic betrayal of Israel,and yet more anti-Israel savagery, and more western indifference! The multi-front war against Israel heats up as a savage attack leaves twelve innocent children dead and America does all in its power to tie Israel's hands. But three thousand years ago, unfettered by foreign intervention, HaShem gave Israel the green light to wreak havoc against Midian and to take vengeance against her atrocities in the name of HaShem! |
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Revenge - it is so sweet; it is so irresistible! But is it permissible? The Torah answers with a resounding no, and then seems to make some exceptions. What exactly is the Torah trying to teach us about this most primal emotion called revenge? Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2 - 36:13)
Parashat Matot-Masei is read on Shabbat:
Tammuz 28, 5784/August 3, 2024 |
Haftarah For Shabbat Natot-Masei This Shabbat we read the second of the three haftarot, known as haftarot of retribution, that are read during the three weeks of mourning the destruction of the Holy Temple. Each of the three haftarot warn Israel to mend its ways and return to HaShem. Jeremiah 2:4–28; 4:1–2 "Hearken to the word of HaShem, O house of Yaakov, and all the families of the house of Israel. So says HaShem: What wrong did your forefathers find in Me, that they distanced themselves from Me, and they went after futility and themselves became futile?..." |
Tammuz 27: The Beauty Of The Land Of Israel "You, who sit in the gardens the friends hearken to your voice; let me hear it."
Song of Songs 8:13 |
A Day In The Holy Temple: The Second Lottery: 13 Individual Kohanim Received Tasks In This Lottery All told, 13 different kohanim received appointments in this lottery, for it was conducted in this way: The kohen upon whom the pre-determined number fell was the original, primary winner of the lottery... he receives the first duty, which is the actual slaughtering of the offering. |
News Flash! "O G-d of vengeance, HaShem; O G-d show vengeance. Exalt Yourself, O Judge of the earth, render to the haughty their recompense. How long will the wicked, HaShem, how long will the wicked rejoice? They spout forth, they speak falsely; all workers of violence boast. Your people, HaShem, they crush, and Your inheritance they afflict. They slay the widow and the stranger, and they murder the orphans. They say, "Yah will not see, nor will the G-d of Yaakov understand... But HaShem was my fortress, and my G-d the rock of my refuge. And He returned upon them their violence, and for their evil, may He cut them off; may HaShem our G-d cut them off." (Psalms 94:1-7;22-23) |
A Day In The Holy Temple: The Second Lottery Upon returning to the Chamber of Hewn Stone after the wood piles have been arranged atop the altar, the kohanim once again gather before the overseer for the second daily lottery. This drawing would determine the distribution of a number of various assignments pertaining to the offering of the Tamid, the daily sacrifice. The overseer called out to the kohanim to draw for the following tasks... |
Three Weeks Of Mourning Reminder!
Israel and Jews around the world are currently in the midst of the three weeks, known in Hebrew as “bein hameitzarim - between the straits," (Lamentations 1:3) which stretch from the fast of the 17th of Tammuz to the fast of the 9th of Av, during which we take upon ourselves certain customs of mourning in remembrance of the destruction of both the first and second Holy Temple. |
Searching For The Jewish Messiah | A Documentary Of My Epic Journey Super popular Jewish influencer Berel Solomon's new documentary about moshiach has just been released! Berel visited the Temple Institute to film a segment of this very compelling video. At 49:26 into the movie you can see Berel at the Temple Institute with his host Yitzchak Reuven. Great video - worth watching from start to finish! |
This Week - Parashat Matot-Masei: Cities Of Refuge & The Kohen Gadol In this week's Torah reading, Matot-Masei, in anticipation of the imminent invasion of Canaan, Israel is commanded to establish cities of refuge for perpetrators of unintended, unpremeditated manslaughter, where they can dwell in safety from blood avengers. Curiously, the time that they need to remain within the city of refuge is tied to the life of the Kohen Gadol, (High Priest)... |
Background: The First Lottery Was Introduced Later As A Safety Precaution The holy duty of removing ashes from the altar was not always determined by lottery. The Mishna records an incident which illustrates the great exuberance and enthusiasm with which the kohanim carried out the various aspects of the Temple service. But we shall see that as the sages of the Mishna record, their zeal and desire to perform the commandments was so great, that it could have even become a liability! |
This Week - Parashat Matot-Masei: The War Against Midian In this week's Torah reading, the double portion of Matot-Masei, (Numbers 30:2 - 36:13), which concludes the book of Numbers, HaShem commands Israel to destroy Midian. As we recall, it was the Midianite women who seduced and entrapped the Israelite men in acts of idolatry, kindling HaShem's deadly anger against Israel, an anger that was only assuaged by Pinchas’ bold act of killing the two chief sinners, Zimri and Cozbi, (ibid 25:7-8). |
The Prophet Chaggai: “Arise And Build The Temple!” The prophet Chaggai reproved the returnees from Babylon for not having made the required efforts to rebuild the sacked Holy Temple. His prophecy was delivered 18 years after the renewal of the Tamid offerings on the altar, with the Sanctuary still lay in ruins. Chaggai asked “Is it the time for you yourselves to sit in your ceiled houses when this House is in ruins?!" (Chaggai 1:4). |
Mikdash Monday - The Churban (destruction) and rebuilding of the Holy Temple (Part 1) “Thus says Hashem; Let your hands be strong, you that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, who spoke on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, saying that the temple might be built.” (Zechariya 8:9) |
A Day In The Temple: The Second Arrangement: Fire For The Incense Altar
The Rectification of Adam's Sin: The choicest branches of fig were singled out and used for the second arrangement on the altar, the one from which fire is taken off and brought to the golden altar, within the sanctuary. Upon this altar the incense will be burnt, and it is the incense service which was the most beloved part of the Temple service to G-d (Zohar I 130:A). |
Correction! Last week we mistakenly posted the incorrect haftarah for parashat Pinchas. While I Kings 18:46 - 19:21, the story of Elijah's journey to Mount Horev is indeed the haftarah for parashat Pinchas, during the three weeks (bein hameitzarim) of mourning concerning the destruction of the first and second Holy Temple, we read special haftarot taken from the books of Jeremiah and Isaiah, each concerning the impending destruction of the Holy Temple. The correct reading this year for parashat Pinchas, (Which we read yesterday) is Jeremiah 1:1-2:3, which, in light of the Shabbat massacre of twelve innocent children on the Golan Heights, is eerily prescient... |
Shavua Tov From The Temple Mount! We are in the middle of the three weeks - bein hameitzarim - of mourning and introspection regarding the destruction of the Holy Temple 2,000 years ago, and our need to rebuild it as soon as possible. At the same time Israel is fighting a seven front war for our very existence. Just yesterday the Hezbollah terror subsidiary of Iran fired a missile into Israel killing twelve innocent Druze children playing soccer. Israel will avenge their blood! "HaShem shall grant strength to His people; HaShem shall bless His people with peace." (Psalms 29:11) Shavua tov - praying for a good week! |
Build a House for HaShem! "Be strong and have courage! Build a House for HaShem!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, the prophet Samuel charges King David with the task of building the Holy Temple! |
The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First! "The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, Zerubavel from the house of David and Kohen Gadol (High Priest) Yehoshua consult with the prophet Haggai who instructs them to waste no time in rebuilding the Holy Temple! |
Red Heifers Arrive In Israel! On Thursday, September 15, 2022, 5 PM, 5 perfect, unblemished red heifers arrived in Israel from the USA. A modest ceremony was held at the unloading bay of the cargo terminal at Ben Gurion airport, where the new arrivals were greeted and speeches were made by the incredible people who have put their hearts and souls and means into making this historic/prophetic day become a reality. |
Biblical Red Heifer Could Bring Million Visitors To Samaria The Ancient Shiloh heritage site will soon host a Red Heifer research center. Hundreds of visitors flocked to Shiloh in Samaria’s Binyamin region on Thursday to welcome a biblically pure red heifer. The 22-month-old cow, which was brought to Israel from the United States, found a new home at the Ancient Shiloh heritage site, where the biblical Tabernacle once stood. |
Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem!
Yitzchak Reuven
The Temple Institute |
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