We conclude our reading of Bamidbar (“In the Wilderness”), aka the Book of Numbers, wherein the young nation of Israel is constantly tested and sometimes falters in the wilderness. Later, in Devarim, the Creator reveals the reason for these experiences:
“You shall remember all the ways which the LORD your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might afflict you, to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you will keep His commandments, or not.” - Deut.8:2-5
A double portion concludes the Book of Numbers with Parashat Matot-Masei (Num. 30:2–36:13). Remarkably, the first verse of each Torah portion reveal insights via gematria or the numerical value of the Hebrew. The gematria of the words in the first verse of Parashat Matot, "And Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes," as well as the first verse of Masei, “These are the journeys of the children of Israel”, both equal 1,138.
The reference to Moses speaking to the tribal heads alludes to the emergence of Aaron and the priesthood, as well as the valor of Joshua, Caleb and Pinchas—all tested—yet revealed as true leaders who faced existential challenges. Moses' instruction is specifically to the leadership so they would take on more responsibility, especially in teaching the people the importance of a "shevuah" usually translated as "oath" and "neder", often translated as "vow". The Torah tells us that vows and oaths, in specific circumstances can be annulled in cases of unexpected hardships, however, the importance of one's word is not to be ignored. These laws are related to the command against taking the name of G-d in vain. To underscore the importance of these ideas is the simple command that a man, "...not desecrate his word according to whatever comes out of his mouth."
The verse,“The journeys of the Children of Israel,” recalls each of the 42 stops on the way to the Promised Land and the challenges that could have destroyed the nation through the actions of people like Korach, Dothan, Bilaam and Barak. These figures brought the nation to the brink of tragic failure but also saw ennobling growth from those who did not "desecrate their word". And it was all necessary so that Israel would arrive at the entrance to the Promised Land—ready to establish the homeland of the Chosen People.
There is a prophetic hint embedded in the beginning verse of Masei, revealed by the Chida (Rabbi Chaim David Yosef Azulai) who tells us that the first letter of each word in the opening verse,”Eileh mas’ei bnai yisrael” (“These are the journeys of the Children of Israel") yields the first letter of the names Esau, Madai (Persia), Bavel and Yavan (Greece)—the four empires who would oppress Israel.
Remember how the gematria of the opening verses both equal 1,138? We can render that number through Gematria Katan and get Four—representing the number of exiles. Then, we recall the four matriarchs (Sarah, Rebeca, Rachel and Leah) whose wisdom and strength were pivotal in the development of a burgeoning nation. Four is the number of elements in creation: earth, air, water and fire that represent the physical and spiritual balance needed for existence and finally, Bamidbar, the fourth book of Torah.
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