Parashah Roundup: Matos-Masei 5769

by Steve Brizel
Tribal Integrity and Family Integrity

R Yitzchak Etshalom explores the themes of tribal integrity and family integrity that manifest themselves in different settings in both Parshiyos: link

Nedarim and the Heads of the Tribes

R Aharon Lichtenstein explains Machsheves Haflaah, the philosophy of the Halachos of Nedarim and Shevuous: link

R Michael Rosensweig discusses the role of the Chacham as reflected in Nedarim.and the proper use of Nedarim in a peson's Avodas HaShem: link 1, link 2

R Yissocher Frand, based upon a comment of the Chasam Sofer ,suggests why Hilcos Nedarim were transmitted directly to the heads of the tribes: link

Click here to read moreKashrus and Kelim

R Hershel Shachter provides an overview of the Halachos of Tevilas Kelim: link (audio)

R David Brofsky discusses the halachos of “kashering” kelim: link 1, link 2 (DOC)

R Yaakov Neuberger underscores the relationship of Tevilas Kelim to the Jewish family: link

The 42 Stations in the Wilderness

R Ephraim Buchwald and the Nesivos Shalom, as elucidated by by R Yitzchak Adlerstein explain why the Torah records all of the encampments of the Jewish People in the desert: link 1, link 2

Maintaining Proper Priorities

R Hershel Schachter, R Yissocher Frand and R Avigdor Nevenzal point out that the errors of the children of Gad and Reuven unfortunately are an everyday phenomenon: link 1, link 2, link 3

R Baruch Simon discusses how to invest the Jewish home with Kedusha and R Larry Rothwachs discusses how to raise children in a Torah home: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

R Sir Jonathan Sacks explains how the Tribes of Gad and Reuven escaped being suspected of breaking faith with the Jewish People: link

R Aharon Lichtenstein emphasizes that the nature of Moshe Rabbeinu's rebuke of the Tribes of Gad and Reuven was in based upon their devalued estimate of the spiritual worth of living in the Land of Israel: link

R Shlomo Riskin explains why it is not important to do what is right, but also to what appears to beyond reproach in the eyes of others: link

R Asher Weiss discusses under what circumstances when one can leave the Land of Israel to reside in the Diaspora: link

R David Horwitz , based upon Ramban, Ralbag, and Mesilas Yesharim, warns against exercising judgment in the manner of the Tribe of Reuven: link

R Avraham Gordimer and R Aryeh Lebowitz stress that we should not focus on our wealth and material happiness at the expense of our children's spiritual welfare: link 1, link 2 (audio)

Shoalim Vdorshim Department

R Avishai David and R Elyakim Koenigsberg , based upon the teachings of Rav Solveitchik, ZTL, discuss Aveilus Chadasha and Aveilus Yeshanah and listening to music during the Threee Weeks: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

R Dani Rapp discussses Hashkafic ramifications of the Messianic Age: link (audio)

R Yaakov Feit urges us to see light beyond the darkness from the life of Rabbi Akiva: link (audio)

R Shmuel Maybruch discusses Halachic issues in replicating media without permission: link (audio)

Last year's roundup: I, II