Parashah Roundup: Matos-Masei 5770

by Steve Brizel

The Book of Memories

R Berel Wein suggests why the Torah records the names of the stops and encampments of the Jewish People: link

R Shlomoh Riskin explains why the Torah uses Shevatim and Matos: link

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R Yitzchak Adlestein, explains why Parshas Maasei is a mission statement for every Jew: link

R Avraham Gordimer explains why the Maasos are mentioned at the end of Sefer Bamidbar: link

The War Against the Midyanites

R Ephraim Buchwald explains why the Midyanites were eradicated: link

The Laws of Vows

R Yissocher Frand explains why Hilcos Nedarim were transmitted to the Roshei HaMatos: link

R Michael Rosensweig explains the role and significance of Nedarim: link 1, link 2

Tevilas Kelim

R Asher Weiss analyzes the Halachos of Tevilas Kelim: link (audio)

Maintaining Proper Priorities

R Herschel Schachter and R Avigdor Nevenzal reminds us that we should ensure that the proper Torah education of the next generation is an individual and communal priority that should never be dispensed with as a cost saving measure: link 1, link 2

R David Horwitz discusses the choice of the tribe of Reuven: link

Living in the Land of Israel

R Sir Jonathan Sacks explores the centrality of living in the Land of Israel in the thought of Ramban and R Yehudah HaLevi: link

R Dovid Miller discusses Kedushas HaMikdash and Kedushas Eretz Yisrael: link (audio)

Tribal Integrity and Family Integrity

R Yitztchak Etshalom explains why the dialogue between Mosheh and the chieftains of Menasheh regarding the land which will soon be inherited by the five daughters of Tz'lofchad occurs at the end of Parshas Maasei: link

Shoalim Udorshim Department

Rav Soloveitchik ZL explains the Halachos and Hashkafa or Tisha B”Av and Kinos: link 1 (audio)*, link 2

R Yona Reiss discusses Aveilus Yeshanah Aveilus Drabim: link (audio)

R Michael Rosensweig analyzes the unique nature of Tishah B”Av: link

R Yonasan Sacks examines the dual aspect of Taanis Tzibur and Aveilus that is characteristic of Tishah B’Av and the silver lining of the fires of Tishah B’Av: link 1, link 2

R Asher Brander, based on the teachings of the Bnei Yissoscher, explains why Tishah B’Av is birthday of the Moshiach: link

R David Brofsky explains the Halachos of the Nine Days and Tisha B’Av: link 1, link 2

R Baruch Simon discusses Galus and Torah She Baal Peh, how to prepare for Tishah B’Av and explains why our Geulah is in the merit of Torah She Baal Peh: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio), link 3 (audio)

* For the interested listener, additional explanations of all of the Kinos can be found by various Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim on YuTorah.org.