Parashot Matot - Masei This week's reading contains two subjects that even though they appear to contradict, they are very connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Parashot Matot - Masei This week's reading contains two subjects that even though they appear to contradict, they are very connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This week's Torah portion actually combines two readings. It's not just that two sections were simply glued together \u2014 rather, it's one reading that contains two general ideas. In fact, in most years, we read these two portions together. Therefore, it's important to extract a lesson for our lives from the connection<\/em> between these two ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are the two parts?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first one is called Matos, which means sticks<\/em>. Let's explore what that means.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the beginning of Parshas Matos<\/em>, Moshe is speaking to the heads of the tribes about promises<\/em>. Specifically, he's teaching the laws about how vows work \u2014 and how, if someone makes a vow and regrets it, they can approach a sage or leader to annul that vow, following a certain process. That's why Moshe addresses the leaders<\/em> of the tribes \u2014 because they are the ones who need to understand these laws in order to guide others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the second section, Masei<\/em>, The Torah speaks about the journeys<\/em> that the Jewish people made \u2014 from Egypt all the way until they were about to enter the Land of Israel. In total, the Torah lists 42 journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, at first glance, these two ideas \u2014 sticks<\/em> and journeys<\/em> \u2014seem to contradict one another. \u201cMatos\u201d (sticks) suggests something firm, fixed, solid \u2014 something that stays in one place. \u201cMasei\u201d (journeys) implies movement, change, progression \u2014 traveling forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So how can these two opposite ideas come together? Staying put vs. moving on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n To understand this, we need to look deeper into what each concept teaches us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, <\/strong>Matos<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Sticks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A stick is strong, firm, and unbending. It symbolizes strength, and in a certain sense, pride<\/em> \u2014 the kind of pride where a person says, "I know what I stand for. I know what's right."\u201c However, the same Talmud also says that a person needs a tiny<\/em> amount of pride in order to live correctly. It calls this \u201can eighth of an eighth\u201d \u2014 that's 1\/64 \u2014 of pride. Just a drop. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because without that little bit of inner strength and dignity, a person might be too easily influenced\u2014by their own negative desires or by the criticism or mocking of others. People might say things like, \u201c"Oh, you're becoming religious now? You think you're a tzaddik (righteous person) now?"\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If a person doesn't have any<\/em> pride, they might be swayed or discouraged by that negativity. But with a little strength \u2014 the kind symbolized by a \u201cstick\u201d \u2014 a person can say, \u201cThis is the truth, this is what Gd wants, and I'm not backing down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n SW Matos<\/em> represents that positive kind of strength and pride \u2014 the kind that allows you to stand firm in fulfilling G-d's will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, <\/strong>Masei<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Journeys:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When the Torah lists the journeys of the Jewish people, it uses the phrase: \u201cThese are the journeys by which the Children of Israel left Egypt\u2026\u201d<\/em> The answer is that \u201cEgypt\u201d in Hebrew is Mitzrayim<\/em>, which comes from the word Meitzarim<\/em> \u2014 meaning limitations<\/em>. So Egypt doesn't just refer to a physical place, but to anything in life that limits a person spiritually or emotionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And in life, you don't leave your personal \u201cEgypt\u201d in one step. Yes, maybe you break free from one limitation\u2014but then you find yourself facing another. Every time you grow, you enter a new stage\u2026 and that new level comes with its own<\/em> challenges and limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So the process of spiritual growth is continuous. You're always leaving \u201cEgypt\u201d \u2014 again and again, rising beyond the next limit, and then the next one, constantly becoming closer to Gd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That's why the Torah uses the word Masei<\/em> \u2014 journeys<\/em>, plural. Life is a journey of ongoing personal and spiritual development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Putting Them Together \u2014 <\/strong>Matos<\/strong><\/em> and <\/strong>Masei<\/strong><\/em>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So again, Matos<\/em> means firmness \u2014 standing strong and knowing who you are. How do they work together?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to move forward, you need to be firm. And, just as an aside \u2014 if this is what Gd wants from you, He also gives you the strength to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So that \u201cstick\u201d \u2014 that inner backbone \u2014 is what allows you to keep moving through the journey. You're not just being tossed around by life. You have direction, purpose, and strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that strength is what allows you to grow. And then grow more. And then grow again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the path toward holiness, toward Gd, never ends. Gd is infinite, so there is always more to grow, more to learn, more to refine. But it starts with strength<\/em> \u2014 knowing that you're capable, that you have a mission, and that Gd gives you the power to fulfill it.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Parashot Matot - Masei This week's reading contains two subjects that even though they appear to contradict, they are very connected. Introduction Parashot Matot - Masei This week's reading contains two subjects that even though they appear to contradict, they are very connected. This week\u2019s Torah portion actually combines two readings. It\u2019s not just that… Read More \u00bbParashot Matot\/Masei - Stand firm and move<\/span><\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3329,3328],"tags":[3509],"series":[],"class_list":["post-30664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-masei-en","category-matot-en","tag-grow"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/00EnglishParasha-3.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/avatar1400.jpeg","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"castbox":{"key":"castbox","url":"","label":"CastBox","class":"castbox","icon":"castbox.png"},"rss":{"key":"rss","url":"","label":"RSS","class":"rss","icon":"rss.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/en\/feed\/podcast\/rabino-tuvia-serber","embedCode":"
The second is called Masei, which means journeys<\/em> or trips<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, pride is usually seen as a negative trait. The Talmud has many warnings about arrogance and how it distances a person from truth and from Gd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But here's the question: Why is it plural \u2014 journeys<\/em> \u2014 when really, it only takes one<\/em> journey to leave Egypt? Once you step out of Egypt, you've already left!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Masei<\/em> means movement \u2014 growth, transformation, not staying stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growth and progress require inner strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\nParashot Matot\/Masei - Stand firm and move<\/a><\/blockquote>