Navigating Av and Our Spiritual Journey: Lessons from Matot-Massei

L’ilui nishmat Harav Shlomo ben Reb Yitzchak

Good morning, dear sisters.

I’m sharing these divrei Torah (words of Torah) l’ilui nishmat (for the elevation of the soul of) my beloved husband, Rav Shlomo ben Reb Yitzchak. May these words serve as a source of zechut (merit) for his neshamah (soul), for all of Am Yisrael (the Jewish people), and especially for those in need of yeshuot (salvations)—those in captivity, those in pain, and all for whom we constantly daven (pray). May Hashem (God), in His infinite mercy, continue to show us His kindness and bring us the ultimate geulah b’karov (redemption speedily).

Shabbat Mevorchim and the Start of Chodesh Av

This week is Shabbat Mevorchim, preparing us for Rosh Chodesh Av, which begins on Sunday night. We know the famous teaching from Chazal (our Sages): "Mi she’nichnas Av, mema’atim b’simcha"—when Av enters, we reduce our joy. But what does that mean when our avodah (spiritual service) is to always “Ivdu et Hashem b’simcha”—to serve Hashem with joy?

True simcha is inner peace—a deep trust that Hakadosh Baruch Hu (The Holy One, Blessed Be He) is with us at every moment. Even when darkness surrounds us, we are never alone. As Chazal teach, even the Navi Yirmiyahu (Prophet Jeremiah), who delivered devastating prophecies, could only receive nevuah (prophecy) while in a state of simcha. This teaches us: even when we’re told to “lessen joy,” we must still hold on to that inner bitachon (trust) and emunah (faith).

Insights from The Three Weeks: Listening to Hashem's Voice

We are now deep in The Three Weeks, a period of mourning leading to Tisha B’Av. This Shabbat, we read the second of the three haftarot of puranut—messages of mourning and warning. Last week we read Divrei Yirmiyahu (Words of Jeremiah), and this week begins Shim’u Dvar Hashem (“Listen to the word of Hashem”). Next week will be Chazon Yeshayahu (Vision of Isaiah), a vision of what will come.

There’s a clear pattern here: first, the words of a prophet; then, the direct words of Hashem; and finally, a vision. In our times, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly listening to Hashem’s voice? Are we internalizing His messages? He is calling to us, asking us to return to Him.

Just this week, we saw two of the worst son’im (enemies) of Am Yisrael fall. That is not mere political news—it is Yad Hashem (the Hand of God). Hashem is showing us, “Don’t worry—I’m here, and I’m taking care of you.”

Parshiyot Matot-Massei: The Power of Speech and Our Priorities

This week, we read the double parsha Matot-Massei, marking the closing of Sefer Bamidbar (the Book of Numbers). As is our tradition, we proclaim, "Chazak, Chazak v’nitchazek!"—be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened!

Parshat Matot begins with the profound laws of nedarim (vows) and the concept of hatarat nedarim (annulment of vows). The Torah teaches us “Lo yachel devaro”—a person must not desecrate their word. This underscores the immense power of speech—the very koach hadibur (power of speech) that distinguishes us from animals.

Speech creates spiritual reality. It’s no wonder the Third Commandment is “Lo tisa et Shem Hashem lashav”—do not take Hashem’s name in vain. Hashem gave us a divine gift—our voice. And with that gift comes tremendous responsibility. As we near the entrance to Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), Hashem reminds us: your words matter. Your commitments matter. This isn't just about individual vows; it's about living a life where your spiritual intentions guide your material actions.

Reuven and Gad: A Timeless Lesson in Priorities

We also read about the tribes of Reuven and Gad, who request to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Their request seems innocent: “Let us build enclosures for our animals, and then towns for our children.” But Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our Teacher) is deeply upset. Why?

Because their order of priorities was backwards. Their first concern was their property, not their children’s spiritual future. Moshe corrects them: "Build for your children first, then for your herds." This moment teaches us a powerful truth for Jewish family life: When our material pursuits come before our spiritual responsibilities—especially our children’s chinuch (education)—we risk losing everything. Indeed, these tribes were historically the first to be exiled.

Massei: Every Journey Has a Purpose

Parshat Massei meticulously lists the 42 journeys of Bnei Yisrael (Children of Israel) in the desert. Chazal teach that these journeys represent not only physical travel but the profound spiritual journey of each Jew through life.

Even the names of the journeys hold deep meaning. Every step, even the difficult ones, is part of Hashem’s ultimate plan. The Midrash notes that the first letters of “Eileh Masei Bnei Yisrael” correspond to the four major exiles: Edom, Madai, Bavel, and Yavan. This powerful insight reminds us that just as Hashem guided us through every challenge in the desert, He continues to guide us through all our exiles.

Moshe Rabbeinu describes the journeys as both “motza’eihen l’maseihem” (their origins to their journeys) and “maseihem l’motza’eihen” (their journeys to their origins)—indicating that where we come from and where we are going are deeply connected. Every challenge in life is purposeful. Every stop along the way builds and elevates us. There are no random detours in a Jew’s life.

Arei Miklat: Finding Refuge in Torah

The parsha concludes with the establishment of the arei miklat (cities of refuge). A person who makes a mistake, even a terrible one like accidental manslaughter, is given a designated place to flee, to reflect, and to repair.

We all have our masei—our personal journeys filled with bumps and wrong turns. But Hashem always provides a place of refuge, a way back. The Leviim (Levites), who lived in these cities, represented Torah and spiritual connection. In other words, our miklat, our true refuge, is ultimately in Torah and emunah.

Moving Forward: Strengthening Our Neshama

As we enter this intense time on the Jewish calendar, may we internalize the profound messages of these parshiyot and of the haftarot. Let us use our koach hadibur to build, to commit, to daven, and to uplift. Let us prioritize our children’s spiritual future over transient material gain. And may we always find our miklat in the shelter of Torah, community, and Hashem’s everlasting love.

Chazak, Chazak, v’nitchazek! (Be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened!)

With heartfelt tefillot and blessings,

Rebbetzin Chavi Golovenshitz