Matot

In this parsha

The parsha begins with the laws of vows and oaths, including how a father or husband may annul them, underscoring the binding force of speech. God commands war against Midian to avenge the seduction at Baal Peor; Balaam is killed, and the spoils and captives are divided and purified. The tribes of Reuben and Gad, rich in livestock, ask to settle east of the Jordan; Moses consents only after they pledge to help their brothers conquer the Land first.

Themes

• The holy power of speech
• Vows as Oral Torah
• Binding deed to speech
• Truthful speech reveals Hashem
• Cleaving through one's possessions
• Oaths empowering daily avodah

Must-read teachings

1. 1Sacred Power Of SpeechThe Midrash expounds on the verse, "And you shall swear, 'As Hashem lives'" (Yirmiyahu 4:2). The Sfas Emes opens with a Midrashic teaching on the verse in Yirmiyahu about swearing in Hashem's Name. Even to swear truthfully you are not permi…תרמ"ז
2. 2Elevating Speech Through Daily AcceptanceThe Midrash expounds on the pasuk "And you shall swear, 'As Hashem lives,' in truth, in justice, and in righteousness" (Yirmiyahu 4:2). The Sfas Emes opens with a pasuk in Yirmiyahu in which the oath to Hashem must be made with three qualit…תרל"ט
3. 3Oath of Daily AvodahThe Midrash expounds on the verse, "And you shall swear, 'As Hashem lives,' in truth (Yirmiyahu 4:2)." The Sfas Emes opens with a verse from Yirmiyahu about swearing truthfully in Hashem's Name, which he will now unpack. For behold, the ess…תרמ"ב
4. 4Shabbos Essence Of SpeechChazal said that all the prophets prophesied with the words 'So says Hashem' (koh amar Hashem), but Moshe Rabbeinu was greater than them in that he prophesied with 'This is the thing' (zeh hadavar). Moshe Rabbeinu's prophecy was on a higher…תרנ"א
5. 5Binding Earthly Gifts AboveRegarding Bnei Reuven and Bnei Gad, the Midrash speaks of three gifts, etc., which come when one comes through the power of the Torah, etc.; as the pasuk says, "Let not the wise man boast" (Yirmiyahu 9:22), etc. See there regarding the vers…תרנ"א
6. 6Selflessness in Sacred BattleIn the Midrash it is taught: Had Moshe Rabbeinu wished to live many years, he would have lived, for the verse states, "Take vengeance for Bnei Yisrael against the Midianites; afterward you shall be gathered to your people" (Bamidbar 31:2). …תר"נ
7. 7Oral Torah Through TefillinRegarding the war against Midian, Chazal expounded on the verse 'Your teeth are like a flock of (the goats) [* the shorn ones]' (see Shir HaShirim 4:2) — that they are all paired evenly, for they did not put the tefillin of the head before …תרמ"ו
8. 8Holy Power Of SpeechRegarding nedarim (vows) and shevuos (oaths), of which it is written, "He shall not profane his word" (Bamidbar 30:3) — that he shall not render his words chol (mundane) — we learn from this that the power of speech is holy; and this is the…תרס"א