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Parshat Mattot-Masei
Shabbat (Mevarchim) Kabbalat Shabbat
19:30
(Candle Lighting)
19:45
Shacharit
09:00
Leining
10:00
Mincha followed by Seudah & Ma’ariv
20:55
Shabbat Ends
22:14
27 Tammuz 5777 21 July 2017
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Page No.s Artscroll Gutnick Hertz
Leining
Haftarah
900 1074 702
1193 1465 710
Weekday Shacharit
Mincha & Ma’ariv
Sun
09:00
19:30
Mon*
06:45
19:30
Tues
07:00
19:30
Wed
07:00
19:30
Thur
07:00
19:30
Fri
07:00
19:30**
Thought For The Week To Be Continued The name of the first of this week’s parshi-
the Twelve Tribes emanate from Jacob,
yot - Matot - refers to the Twelve Tribes,
who came from Isaac, who came from
* Rosh Chodesh ** Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat
which are discussed at the beginning. But
Abraham. These ‘offshoots’ were all tasked
Chayim Arukim
why is a Tribe called a ‘Mateh’?
with remaining connected to their source
Candle Lighting
19:35
to all those who have Yahrzeit this week as follows
combinations. Any word that shares a
שבת
22 July 28 Tammuz
Cynthia Cowan
Husband
Sun
Mark Mattison Lynda Arron
Father Mother
Mon
Alan Becker Gilda Leinhardt Peter Leinhardt
Mother Husband Father
Tues
Leonard Morris Steven Morris Rochelle Miller
Mother Mother Brother
Dr Brian Freeman Marcelle Abrams Caroline Levine Diane Sterling
Father Mother Father Father
Barry Newgrosh Marian Dobkin
Father Mother
Amanda Kaye
Father
23 July 29 Tammuz 24 July 1 Av
25 July 2 Av
Thurs 27 July 4 Av
Fri
28 July 5 Av
שבת
29 July 6 Av
All Hebrew words are rooted in three-letter
Kiddushim
three-letter root is always connected, even if their meanings seem vastly different. So what connects the Hebrew word for Tribe (Mateh), a branch or staff (also mateh), and a bed (mitah)? These three words refer to things which are offshoots of a central source. A branch is an offshoot of its source; a tree. A staff serves as an extension to the body which requires its support. According to the Talmud, the primary purpose of a bed, aside
wandering in the desert, settling in the Land of Israel, and everything since. We, as continuations of these branches, are also responsible for maintaining and preserving our lineage, our traditions, and our heritage. History has thrown a lot our way, and yet, the chain still continues unbroken to this day. We are all connected to the same original source, which is quite an empowering and thought-provoking idea. However, it also beckons us to examine our role in its preservation.
from sleeping, is to facilitate procreation, in
22 July Unsponsored
order to create a continuation in a family
29 July Debbie & Anthony Horne
generations before it. Finally, a Tribe is an
5 August Unsponsored
through the challenges of slavery in Egypt,
lineage; a lineage which is connected to the offshoot of one central source. In our case,
Rabbi Nick Kett Shabbat Weather AM Showers 19o High 12o Overnight Low
Parsha
verview
First Aliyah - 28 verses Discusses vows. 12,000 Jews, led by Pinchas, fight against Midian. All adult Midianite males are killed, along with Bilaam and Midian’s five kings. The women, children, and battle spoils were brought back alive. Second Aliyah - 42 verses Anyone who could have been involved in the campaign of seduction is killed. Tithes from the spoils are given. To show gratitude to G-d for not losing any soldiers, the officers donate all the gold jewelry which they personally plundered to the Mishkan. Third Aliyah - 19 verses The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask to settle on the eastern bank of the Jordan. They offer to leave their cattle and families behind, and all the men will proceed into battle with their brethren. Only after all the land has been conquered would they return to the other side of the Jordan. Fourth Aliyah - 72 verses Moses accepts the offer. These two tribes, along with half of the tribe of Menashe settle on the eastern bank of the Jordan, and conquer many of the areas. Parshat Masei recounts the journeys of the Jews in the desert; the 42 journeys which took them from Egypt to the banks of the Jordan. Fifth Aliyah - 22 verses G-d instructs the eradication of all Canaan’s inhabitants and the destruction of their idols. The borders of the land of Israel are delineated. The land was to be divided by lottery amongst the nine and a half tribes. Sixth Aliyah - 22 verses The Jews are commanded to provide the Levites with 48 cities where they would dwell. Seventh Aliyah - 39 verses Six cities are designated as cities of refuge. The daughters of Zelophchad are advised to marry men from their own tribe, so that their portions of land will be protected when inherited.
When there is a double parsha, the fourth portion will always act as the bridge between the two parshiyot.
S L E W
JE
M S I DA
U J F O Priorities
The Tribes of Gad and Reuven had become very wealthy in the war against Midyan since they had collected gold, silver, and precious jewels from the Midianite women. With these, they bought large herds of cattle. The members of Gad needed spacious pasture grounds for their herds, as could be found on the Eastern side of the Jordan, which the Jews had conquered from Sichon and Og. The heroic Gadites were not afraid to live by themselves in the vicinity of gentile nations. They therefore asked Moshe for permission to settle on the Eastern side of the Jordan. The members of Reuven, whho were Gad’s neighbours in the desert, joined them in the request. The Two Tribes requested to settle on the Eastern side, as they feared they would not be allotted sufficient pasturing land for their large herds in the Land of Israel. Moreover, they feared that their animals would graze in the fields of others, or nibble from trees and roots that do not belong to them. By settling on large ranches,
Delve into the deeper side of Judaism This week we examine the motives of the two Tribes to not settle in the Land
they would avoid theft. They also wanted to remain near the place where Moshe would eventually be buried. Moshe had thought they did not want to participate in the conquest of the Land, which would lead people to think that they are afraid of their enemies. This could induce panic in the rest of the nation, like the Spies caused forty years prior.
Moshe rebuked the two Tribes for being more concerned about possesions, than their children. The Tribes of Gad and Reuven suggested that they settle their cattle and children, and the men would travel together with the rest of the nation, into the Land. They would even fight on the front lines. Moshe rebuked the two Tribes for being more concerned about possessions, than their children, because they prioritised their cattle in their request.
The Hebrew names relating to money indicate its mobility: ‘Nechasim’ - Possessions: The word ‘nechasim’ is linked to the word ‘mechaseh’, meaning concealed from him. This indicates that after a person’s passing his belongings are taken from him and given to another. ‘Zuzim’ - a type of coin: The word ‘zuz’ comes from the word meaning ‘to move’. This signifies that even while a person is alive, his money moves from one person to the next. ‘Mamon’ - Money: This is a contraction of ‘Ma atah Moneh?’ - What are you counting? This indicates its futility. ‘Ma’ot’ - Coins: This signifies ‘Ma La’et?’ - What about the future? Money is not an eternal possession, unlike Torah and Mitzvot. Money only remains with a person for a certain period ordained by Hashem. Based on ‘The Midrash Says’ by Rabbi M. Weiss
If you would like to share your words of wisdom, please submit your article of no more than 500 words to nick@hale-community.org.uk
Parsha Stats Matot and Masei are the 42nd and 43rd of 54 sedras 9th and 10th of 10 in Bamidbar Written on 379 lines in a Torah 244 verses - ranks 1st (when joint) 2945 words - ranks 1st (when joint) 11425 letters - ranks 1st (when joint)
Did You Know Matot and Masei contain 8 of the 613 mitzvot. Three of them are positive, and five are prohibitions. The Tribes of Reuven and Gad had so many cattle because they tried hard to accumulate as much of the spoils as possible.
Tip #38 Songs of Praise
TEFILLAH TIPS
The Sages taught in the Talmud that one should first praise G-d before making requests of Him. Therefore, Pesukei Dezimra was formulated as the prerequisite to the Shema and main Amidah prayer. In this section, we concentrate on Gd’s revelation in nature and history - on how His glory can be seen in Creation and in the unfolding of events. Accordingly, Pesukei Dezimra means ‘Verses of Praise’. However, many commentators
link it to the verb meaning to prune. In this view, these verses ‘cut away’ the mental and spiritual hindrances to proper prayer. Thus, by focusing on G-d’s glory all around us, we prepare ourselves for the Shema and Amidah, when we accept Him as our King and pray for the needs of the Jewish People. Pesukei Dezimra is introduced with a blessing (Baruch She’amar), and concluded with a blessing (Yishtabach).
Tradition tells us that Tzelophchad was the ‘wood-gatherer’ who was executed a few weeks ago for desecrating the Shabbat. Many of the details of “kashering” and “toveling” of vessels are derived from this week’s parsha.
Just For Fun
BREAKING NEWS:
Yorkshire Constabulary have had all their Sat-Navs stolen. Police are looking for Leeds.
2
L
KING AHEAD
In The Spotlight The 40/30 Anniversary Civic Service On Sunday, we will be hosting a special Civic Service, in honour of the 40/30 Anniversary celebrations. We are privileged to be joined by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who will address us, and the service will be conducted by Chazan Avromi Freilich, assisted by the Ne’imah Singers. This event will take place in the presence of the Dayanim of the Manchester Beth Din, distinguished Civic Dignitaries, Religious and Lay Leaders. There will also be an opportunity to meet the Chief Rabbi at the reception after the service. We look forward to sharing this unique opportunity with you, as we continue to celebrate this milestone anniversary. Finally, if you have not yet secured your seats for the 40/30 Anniversary Gala Dinner, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible.
Mazaltov to Marsha & Colin Gee on the birth of a granddaughter.
If you would like to sponsor an edition of ‘Something For Everyone’, in honour of a simcha or for a yahrzeit, or for any reason, please contact the Shule office on 0161 980 8846 or admin@hale-community.org.uk