Shabbat
Services 07-15-07 Conducted at Bayit Brother Dawid Olson
Torah Parsha 42
Mattot 30:1-32:42
Brother Olson provided an
interesting outline to the torah readings which is attached.
Hamidbar 30 – Topic -Vows
Observations:
There seems to be no
provision made for the annulment of vows made by men. However provisions are
made for women. It was suggested though that if we consider ourselves as being
the bride of Moshiach, then perhaps this allows the provision for that annulment
of vows being made by men.
Questions arising from the
chapter:-
Q. What is a promise, and
what is a vow? Is there any difference?
A. There was not a conclusive
answer given. Both appear to be binding upon a person. It is
something that would need further study.
Comment on verses in this
passage
Verse 2
“If a man vow a vow unto
the YHVH, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his
word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”
We were reminded of the
incident where Jephthah, who vowed to sacrifice the first thing he saw upon a
successful return from battle to YHVH. The first thing he saw was his virgin
daughter,
Judges 11 : 30 & 31
“And Jephthah vowed a vow
unto the YHVH, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of
Ammon into mine hands
Then it shall be, that
whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in
peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the YHVH, and I will offer it
up for a burnt offering.”
We wondered if he acted
rashly, however upon review we discovered that it was the Ruach that inspired
him, when he made this vow!!
The word “shalom” used in
the passage is Strongs# 2790, which mean, remaining silent, to cut into, to
fabricate, to keep oneself quiet.
Hamidbar 31- Topic - The
rules of warfare
Questions arising from this
passage:
Q. How do we answer
unbelievers when asked about the killing of women and children, mentioned in
this passage?
A. Several answers ensued:-
·
We have to ask why these people were destroyed. They were destroyed because of
their idolatry
·
Their destruction could be considered a merciful act. That allowing them to
continue in their sins could be a worse punishment than allowing them to live
·
Baal Peor, was a form of worship that involved the worship of sex, using illicit
and immoral practices which influence the Children of Israel, they had to be
wiped out to remove their influence
Comments on verses in this
passage
Verse 50
The gold mentioned in verse
50 was used for a dedicated purpose.
It appears that they gave a
free will offering to YHVH. The gold gathered has an approximate value of one
million, and seventy two thousand dollars. They were showing their thankfulness,
and made free will offerings as a result.
Hamidbar 32- Topic -The
request of Reuven and Gad
Observations:-
It seems that this new
generation of Israelites had a different attitude, because they were willing to
fight for Israel, and were willing to be an encouragement to their brothers in
the battle that they were about to face.
The men wanted to settle
their children and families first before going to war. It seemed like a logical
and sensible thing to do.
Hamidbar 35- Topic -The blood
avenger
Q. Who is the blood avenger?
A. It was suggested that the
family member was the blood avenger in the case of a murder of a relative.
It was also mentioned that when Israel was told to stone a person sentenced to
death, the entire nation was required to participate in it.
Observation:
Two witnesses were required
in order to sentence an offender to death.
Schmuel Alef- 1st Sam 3 –
Topic -The call of Schmuel
Comments on verses in this
passage
Verse 3
There was no vision in those
days. This may be connected to verse 3 which mentions that “the light of
Elohim had not yet gone out in the tent of YHVH.” The torah commands that the
light not go out in the tent of meeting. Shemot 23 verse 20:
“And thou shalt command the
children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to
cause the lamp to burn always”
Verse 11
“And the YHVH said to
Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one
that heareth it shall tingle.”
The word “tingle” in the
above verse is Strongs# 6750 – to vibrate, reddening with shame, or as teeth
shattering in fear
Verse 19
Gleaning from the different
versions, it suggests that Schmuel did not allow any of YHVH’s words to slip,
that YHVH heard him when he prayed.
Luke 4 – Topic – The
Ruach’s testing, and the lost sheep
Comments on verses in this
passage
Verse 23
(notes courtesy of sister Marciyah)