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Shabbat Parashat Matot Masei| 5770

Matot | 28 Tamuz 5770 | 10/07/2010

Parashat Hashavuah: The End of the Journey

This week we finish reading the fourth of the books of the Torah. It encapsulates the story of 42 encampments during a 40-year journey. If we look at tendencies that play out during this time, we could say that Bnei Yisrael did a lot of complaining and bickering. However, if we take a closer look, we should realize that they underwent a difficult, long-lasting schooling experience.

Ask the Rabbi: Are women obligated to daven Mincha

I (a woman) try to daven Shacharit and Mincha but not Ma’ariv every day. Not infrequently I forget to daven Mincha. When that happens, am I supposed to daven Ma’ariv that night, and if so, once or twice?

Ein Ayah: The Way to Relate to One’s Followers

After being suspected by Eili of being drunk], Chana responded: “No, my master.” Ulla or Rabbi Yossi ben Rabbi Chanina said [explained her implied message]: She said to him, “You are not a master in this matter, and the Divine Spirit is not upon you, for you have wrongly suspected me in this matter.” Some say that she said the following: “You are not a master in this matter; do you not have the Divine Spirit upon you, that you have judged me in the direction of guilt and not of innocence?”

P’ninat Mishpat: The Division of a Home Paid for Unequally Between Husband and Wife

A couple who are now in the process of divorce bought a home together, jointly signing a contract with the contractor before the home’s completion. They had an agreement to pay equally for the home, but in practice the husband contributed only 5,000 liras, and the wife paid more than her share. The husband, though, says that since they are both listed as owners, he should be entitled to half of its ownership.

Hemdat HaDaf Hayomi: The Diminution of the Moon (9a)

This week in the Daf Hayomi the Gemara deals with the Chatat sacrifices (sacrifices brought as atonement for sins) that are offered on holidays as part of the Mussaf sacrifices. In this context, the Gemara quotes a very puzzling Midrash. The intent of the Midrash is so unclear that even Rishonim who usually addressed only Halachic issues addressed this Midrash.

This week’s Hemdat Yamim is dedicated in loving memory of
R' Meir ben
Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld
o.b.m

Hemdat Yamim is endowed by
Les & Ethel Sutker of Chicago, Illinois in loving memory of
Max and Mary Sutker and
Louis and Lillian Klein, z”l.

A weekly divrei Torah leaflet: A Glimpse at the Parasha, Ask the Rabbi, From the writings of Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, zt”l, Pninat Mishpat (Jewish Monetary Law).