Matot/Massei | Erev Shabbat: Tribes/Stages

Join us for our Erev Shabbat service we will be going through the weekly teachings from Monte Judah. This week's teaching will cover a double portion. First, Matot - This portion, while entitled “Tribes,” explains the law of vows. It then shifts to the subject of tribes when Moses is directed to assemble 1,000 soldiers from each tribe, forming an army of 12,000 to destroy the five Midianite kings who followed the counsel of Baalam. In the end, the 12,000 men return, having destroyed the five Midianite kings and Baalam. Here is the amazing part: none of the 12,000 died. They all returned from the battlefield alive. The portion concludes with Reuben and Gad requesting the grazing lands east of the Jordan for their herds and inheritance. Moses agrees on the condition that they pledge to support the conquest of the promised land for the other tribes. Ne ...