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Mattot – Masei
Torah: Numbers 30:2 – 36:13
Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-3:4
Gospel: John 18-21
Torah: Numbers 30:2 – 36:13
Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-3:4
Gospel: John 18-21
Messiah is the Avenger
In this week’s sidra we see the L-rd speaking to Moshe to avenge the Israelite
people on the Midianites. This was done for their seduction of the Israelites at
Baal-peor. The main focus is not the battle but the legal precedents that it sets.
The chapters continue with the Reubenites and Gadites settling the Transjordan
along with half the tribe of Manasseh. This shows us the legitimacy of Israelite
occupation of land outside of Canaan proper. These tribes must still go and fight
in the conquest of Canaan. Chapter 33 gives us a comprehensive wilderness
itinerary, instructions on the conquest and the division of Canaan. Cities of
refuge are established against the avenger. The avenger is a Kinsman redeemer
who is obligated to avenge or restore the lost blood of the slain family member
with the blood of the murderer.
Messiah is our Kinsman redeemer. He has ransomed us from a debt we could not
pay. He has redeemed us from slavery to our sins, condemnation and death.
Messiah is also the redeemer of Israel. He will require recompense in blood for
every drop of Jewish blood that has been spilled. Psm. 9:12 says, “He who
requires blood remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.”
Vengeance and retribution belong to the L-rd. Just as Moshe delivered Israel,
Messiah will also deliver Israel. This second redemption will be a literal, physical
redemption. Messiah will gather the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
from the nations, and restore them to the land of Israel with the boundaries He
has set forth in His Torah.
Hashem wants the Jewish people to live in Eretz Yisrael and make the Torah and
its mitzvos (commandments) part of their everyday life. The people should farm,
work and build up the land, serving Hashem (the L-rd) with many different types of
activities. Through Messiah we have received forgiveness for every sin.
Therefore, when someone sins against us, like the enemies of Israel (Hamas,
Hezbollah etc.), they can release the persons from the payment of their actions by
forgiving. It doesn’t mean what they did was right, just that they have been
released. We must release forgiveness to walk in freedom. Doing this the Torah
way makes the world a dirah bitachtonim, a home for Hashem.
In this week’s sidra we see the L-rd speaking to Moshe to avenge the Israelite
people on the Midianites. This was done for their seduction of the Israelites at
Baal-peor. The main focus is not the battle but the legal precedents that it sets.
The chapters continue with the Reubenites and Gadites settling the Transjordan
along with half the tribe of Manasseh. This shows us the legitimacy of Israelite
occupation of land outside of Canaan proper. These tribes must still go and fight
in the conquest of Canaan. Chapter 33 gives us a comprehensive wilderness
itinerary, instructions on the conquest and the division of Canaan. Cities of
refuge are established against the avenger. The avenger is a Kinsman redeemer
who is obligated to avenge or restore the lost blood of the slain family member
with the blood of the murderer.
Messiah is our Kinsman redeemer. He has ransomed us from a debt we could not
pay. He has redeemed us from slavery to our sins, condemnation and death.
Messiah is also the redeemer of Israel. He will require recompense in blood for
every drop of Jewish blood that has been spilled. Psm. 9:12 says, “He who
requires blood remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.”
Vengeance and retribution belong to the L-rd. Just as Moshe delivered Israel,
Messiah will also deliver Israel. This second redemption will be a literal, physical
redemption. Messiah will gather the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
from the nations, and restore them to the land of Israel with the boundaries He
has set forth in His Torah.
Hashem wants the Jewish people to live in Eretz Yisrael and make the Torah and
its mitzvos (commandments) part of their everyday life. The people should farm,
work and build up the land, serving Hashem (the L-rd) with many different types of
activities. Through Messiah we have received forgiveness for every sin.
Therefore, when someone sins against us, like the enemies of Israel (Hamas,
Hezbollah etc.), they can release the persons from the payment of their actions by
forgiving. It doesn’t mean what they did was right, just that they have been
released. We must release forgiveness to walk in freedom. Doing this the Torah
way makes the world a dirah bitachtonim, a home for Hashem.
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