During the week, I had the opportunity to attend a Siyum – a celebration of the completion of an entire tractate of the Talmud – a great accomplishment by the students of Yeshiva Bais Moshe in Scranton.
During the dinner, Rabbi Yaacov Schnaidman, dean of the school spoke and shared the following insight.
With the reading of the two Torah portions Matos and Massai this Shabbos, we will complete the Book of Bamidbar/Numbers; the fourth book of the Torah.
Rabbi Schnaidman pointed out that there is a recurrent subject in most of the portions of the book; the power of speech. The creative, destructive, positive and negative aspects of speech are all touched upon.
In the portion of Behaaloscha, the Torah describes the complaints the Jews had about their travels, the monotony of the blessed Manna, and their issues with not getting meat as a handout.
G-d was upset with them and many died for complaining and not being satisfied with the blessings they received.
The portion ends with the incident of Miriam speaking Lashon Harah – critical speech – about her brother Moshe and how she was inflicted with a punishment of Tzoraas. She was excommunicated for seven days as a result of Lashon Harah.
In the portion of Shlach, the Torah speaks of the spies that were sent into Israel and brought back a negative report about the land and convinced the people not to proceed. The spies were punished for relating Lashon Harah about G-d’s blessed land. Moshe then pleaded with G-d and prayed for the future of the Jewish people and G-d accepted his prayers.
In the Portion of Korach, Korach complained and took issue with Moshe’s appointment of his brother Aaron as the Kohain Godol. Korach used his power of speech to incite others to join him in his ridiculous argument over Moshe’s authority. G-d responded to this provocation as well and wiped out Korach and his followers.
In the portion of Chukas the Torah relates the incident of Moshe being told to speak to the rock that had stopped giving forth water. Instead of speaking to the rock, Moshe hit the rock and was punished by not being allowed to enter into Israel. This was a failure of using his speech positively.
As the Jews were advancing towards Israel, the Torah relates that they expressed peaceful overtures to the nations that were blocking their advance.
The Jews burst into song in appreciation of the water well and leaders that accompanied them.
In the portion of Balak, we find that Balak hired the non-Jewish prophet, Bilaam, to curse the Jews. Balak lauded Bilaam that he had the power of blessing and of cursing, yet Balak employed him to curse the Jews rather than having him bless Balak and his country that they be safe and prosperous.
In the Portion of Pinchos, Pinchos used his words carefully and cleverly to be able to perform a heroic act that halted a terrible plague brought about through the sins of the Jews.
The five daughters of Tzalafchad respectfully asked Moshe what the law was concerning their inheritance of the Land of Israel; they were awarded their deceased father’s allotment of the land.
The portion of Matos deals with the laws of the utterances of vows. It is amazing that the Torah invests in each of us the power to express a vow forbidding something or mandating something, and our statement is to be upheld as if it is a Torah law!
The Tribes of Reuven and Gad asked Moshe if they could remain in the lush area on the east of the Jordan. Moshe made it conditional on a deal he made with them. The laws regarding stipulations of deals are derived from this discussion between Moshe and the tribes.
Finally, when the Torah speaks of the laws of upholding one’s vow, it states, “He shall not desecrate his word; according to whatever comes out of his mouth shall he do.”
Commentators explain this verse in the following homiletic way. “When a person is careful not to desecrate his words by refraining from speaking ill of others – then G-d renders his mouth holy and pure – and whatever the person asks from G-d, He will do!”
A few weeks ago I wrote, “We are the only religion that has laws governing what were are and what we are not allowed to speak about our fellow.”
I received an email requesting to be deleted from the Shabbat Message list, claiming the statement I made was false. “My experience with other peoples, cultures, and nations is that most of them have laws governing what they are and are not allowed to say about others.”
I responded, “I’ll take care of your request, but please let me know which other religions have such laws.” I still haven’t heard from her.
