Scrollers Preview - Mattot-Masei

Scrollers Preview Parashat Matot-Masei Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg We have come to the double parasha at the end of the Book of Numbers. The Israelites are at the threshold of the Promised Land. The next book, Deuteronomy, consists of Moses’ final speech to the Israelites. There, Moses summarizes and remembers incidents from earlier books. But the end of the Book of Numbers is really the end of the narrative of the Torah. This parasha includes some additional laws, including laws about vows, especially the status of women’s vows, and an amendment to the law of inheritance for women. We have a bloody war against the Midianites. Instructions are given on the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes, and we get the story of why the Reubenites, Gadites, and the ½ tribe of Mannasseh are granted holdings outside of Canaan, on the East side of the Jordan river. We also have instructions concerning the towns of the Levites, six of which are set aside as cities of refuge. This year I’m noticing that unlike the endings of previous books, the ending of the Book of Numbers leaves me neither with a sense of completion nor of suspense. Genesis ends with the sons of Jacob in Egypt and a sense of impending doom, Exodus ends with God’s Presence resting on the completed Tabernacle and a sense of hope that God is with us, Leviticus ends with blessings and curses as consequences for Israel’s obeying or disobeying the laws. Here in Numbers, I know the story is over, but it doesn’t really feel like an ending. Parashat Masei opens with a recounting the various encampments of the Israelites throughout their wilderness journey, and this can provide a moment of reflection on what they’ve gone through and where they’ve come from over these 40 years. And we have a view into the future, with the division of the land among the tribes. But this year I feel the need for Deuteronomy, Moses’ personal reflection and exhortation to the people. I need an emotional, prophetic, poetic ending. We don’t get that here at the end of Numbers. Perhaps that’s why the editors did include Deuteronomy. As we conclude this book, I want to hear your thoughts on whether these parashot are a satisfying conclusion of Numbers for you. What do you think the Israelites need to hear and/or do at this point in their journey? What does it mean to end a period of wandering and to transition into a more settled life in the Land, where the expectation is that we will be here for generations – perhaps even forever? How would it actually feel to be one of this new generation of Israelites, who never knew Egypt, who have only known the wilderness, looking over the steppes of Moab toward Jericho? Are we eager? Afraid? What do we imagine our relationship with God will be like once we cross over? How would you end this book?

Scrollers Preview - Parashat Balak

Scrollers Preview Parashat Balak Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg July 7, 2012 This week we mostly take a break from the Israelites’ constant misbehavior, although it returns with a vengeance at the very end of the parasha. This parasha mostly provides some comic relief, as we get to watch a foreign king and a foreign prophet, Balak and Balaam, make a fools of themselves. Here, we receive some much-needed comfort and assurance, that despite all of our rebellious tendencies, God still wants to bless and protect our People. This message is delivered in the form of what feels like a folk tale or a parody (or both!) Asses speak, prophets are blind, and our enemies cannot help themselves from blessing us. Here is a brief overview of the story: Balak, a king of the Moabites, enemies of the Israelites, sees our people camping out nearby and is frightened by how numerous we are – a horde! He sends for a prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites as a way to weaken them and assure the Moabites victory in battle. God (our God, YHVH) tells Balaam that he will only be allowed to speak the words that God puts in his mouth. Then we have a delightful scene with Balaam and his she-ass. The ass sees an angel with a sword standing in the way, but Balaam can’t see it. The ass swerves three times, Balaam beats her, and finally the ass actually speaks. She berates him for beating up on him. God then opens Balaam’s eyes, and he understands the ass’ behavior. The climax of this episode is a series of attempts by Balaam to curse Israel. Each time Balak brings Balaam to a new vantage point to view Israel from a different angle; each time Balak offers up very expensive burnt offerings; and each time, Balaam pronounces blessings instead of curses. Balak and Balaam then go their separate ways. The parashah ends with a theme which continues next week – that of the Israelites whoring after the Moabite women and their gods. Here we go again, rebelling…that comic relief didn’t last too long. On these beautiful days of summer, I feel especially a sense of grace – that I’m being blessed whether or not I deserve it. Perhaps we can simply enjoy this humorous story this week. And we can ask whether this story is here to introduce a sense of God’s compassion in the midst of the predominantly harsh episodes of the wilderness.