Torah Seder I Adar 10

Esnoga Bet Emunah

227 Millset Chase - San Antonio, Texas 78253

Triennial Cycle (Triennial Torah Cycle) / Septennial Cycle (Septennial Torah Cycle)

Three and 1/2 year Lectionary Readings	Fourth Year of the Reading Cycle
I Adar 10, 5768 – Feb. 15/16, 2008	Seventh Year of the Shmita Cycle

Candle Lighting and Havdalah Times

San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Brisbane, Australia:

Friday Feb. 15, 2008 – Candles at 6:05 PM Friday Feb. 15, 2008 – Candles at 6:15 PM

Saturday Feb. 16, 2008 – Havdalah 7:00 PM Saturday Feb. 16, 2008 – Havdalah 7:09 PM

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Singapore, Singapore

Friday Feb. 15, 2008 – Candles at 6:03 PM Friday Feb. 15, 2008 – Candles at 7:03 PM

Saturday Feb. 16, 2008 – Havdalah 7:00 PM Saturday Feb. 16, 2008 – Havdalah 7:53 PM

Cebu, Philippines Jakarta, Indonesia

Friday Feb. 15, 2008 – Candles at 5:42 PM Friday Feb. 15, 2008 – Candles at 5:58 PM

Saturday Feb. 16, 2008 – Havdalah 6:33 PM Saturday Feb. 16, 2008 – Havdalah 6:48 PM

For other places see: http://chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting.asp

Shabbat	Torah Reading:	Weekday Torah Reading:
אֵלֶּה מַסְעֵי
“Eleh Mas’ei”	Reader 1 – B’midbar 33:1-4	Reader 1 – B’midbar 34:1-5
“These are the stages”	Reader 2 – B’midbar 33:5-9	Reader 2 – B’midbar 34:6-10
“Estas son las estancias”	Reader 3 – B’midbar 33:10-39	Reader 3 – B’midbar 34:11-15
B’midbar (Numbers) 33:1-56	Reader 4 – B’midbar 33:40-44
Ashlamtah: Is 11:16 -12:6 + 14:1-2	Reader 5 – B’midbar 33:45-49
	Reader 6 – B’midbar 33:50-53	Reader 1 – B’midbar 34:1-5
Psalm: 106:19-27	Reader 7 – B’midbar 33:54-56	Reader 2 – B’midbar 34:6-10
	Maftir – B’midbar 33:54-56	Reader 3 – B’midbar 34:11-15
N.C.: Matityahu 25:1-13	Isaiah 11:16 -12:6 + 14:1-2

Roll of Honor:

This Torah commentary comes to you courtesy of His Honor Rosh Paqid Adon Hillel ben David and most beloved family, and that of Her Excellency Giberet Sarai bat Sarah and beloved family, as well as that of His Excellency Adon Barth Lindemann and beloved family and that of His Excellency Adon John Batchelor and beloved wife, and that of His Excellency Adon Ezra ben Abraham and his beloved wife Giberet Karmela bat Sarah, as well as Her Excellency Giberet Hannah bat Sarah and beloved family. For their regular and sacrificial giving, providing the best oil for the lamps, we pray that G-d’s richest blessings be upon their lives and those of their loved ones, together with all Yisrael, amen ve amen!

Also a great thank you to all who send comments to the list about the contents and commentary of the weekly Seder.

If you want to subscribe to our list and ensure that you never lose any of our commentaries, or would like your friends also to receive this commentary, please do send me an E-Mail to ravybh@optusnet.com.au with your E-Mail or the E-Mail addresses of your friends. Toda Rabba!

This Torah Seder is dedicated in honor of the birthday of His Excellency Rev. Dr. Adon Chad Foster, wishing him a very happy Yom Huledet Sameach together with loved ones, long life, much Torah learning, good health, copious prosperity, together with many good deeds of loving-kindness.

We also want to dedicate this Torah study to His Excellency Adon Lemuel, the father of Her Honor Giberet Batsheva bat Sarah D’Hillel, wishing him a complete healing of the soul, body and spirit, and a complete recovery, together with all the sick of Yisrael, amen ve amen!

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan

for: B’midbar (Numbers) 33:1- 56

RASHI	TARGUM PSEUDO JONATHAN
1. These are the journeys of B’ne Yisrael who went out of Egypt in organized groups under the leadership of Moshe and Aharon.	1. These are the journeys of the Bene Israel who came out from Mizraim by their hosts, after the miracles bad been wrought for them by the hand of Mosheh and Aharon.
2. Moshe recorded their departures for their journeys according to Adonai's command; these were the departure for their journeys.	2. And Mosheh recorded their outgoings by their journeys by the Word of the Lord; and these are their journeys by their goings forth.
3. They journeyed from Ra'meses in the first month--- on the fifteenth day of the first month--- on the day after the [Korban] Pesach, B’ne Yisrael left triumphantly before the eyes of all Egyptians.	3. They departed from Pelusin in the month of Nisan, on the fifteenth day of the month; after they had eaten the sacrifice of the Pascha did the children of Israel go forth, with uncovered head, in sight of all the Mizraee. [JERUSALEM. And they went out from Pelusin in the first month.]
4. Egypt was burying that which Adonai had struck among them--- all their firstborn--- and on their idols Adonai had inflicted punishments.	4. And the Mizraee buried those whom the Lord had killed among them, even all the first‑born; and upon their idols did the Word of the Lord do judgments; their molten idols were dissolved, their idols of stone were mutilated, their idols of earthenware broken in pieces, their wooden idols turned to ashes, and their cattle gods were slain with death.
5. B’ne Yisrael journeyed from Ra'meses and camped in Succos.	5. And the sons of Israel went forth from Pelusin, and encamped in Sukkoth, a place where they were protected by seven glorious clouds.
6. They journeyed from Succos and camped in Eisom which is on the edge of the wilderness.	6. And they removed from Sukkoth, and encamped in Etham, on the side of the wilderness.
7. They journeyed from Eisom and turned back to Pi Hachiros facing Ba'al Tzefon, and they camped by Migdol.	7. They removed from Etham, and returned unto Pumey Hiratha, which lie in front of the idol of Zephon, and encamped before Migdol. [JERUSALEM. And removing from Etham. they returned to the caravansaries of Hiratha, which are in front of the idols.]
8. They journeyed from before Hachiros and crossed amidst the sea toward the wilderness. They traveled for three days in the wilderness of Eisom, and camped in Moroh.	8. And from the caravansaries of Hiratha they removed, and passed through the midst of the sea, and went upon the shore of the sea, collecting onyx stones and pearls. Afterwards they proceeded three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah.
9. They journeyed from Moroh and came to Eilim. In Eilim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.	9. And they removed from Marah, and came to Elim; in Elim were twelve fountains of water for the twelve tribes, and seventy palm trees, answering to the seventy sages; and they encamped there by the waters. [JERUSALEM And they removed from Marah and came to Elim: in Elim were twelve fountains of water, answering to the twelve tribes of Israel, and seventy palm trees, answering to the seventy elders of the Sanhedrin of Israel; and they encamped there.]
10. They journeyed from Eilim and camped by the Sea of Reeds.	10. And they removed from Elim, and camped on the banks of the Sea of Suph;
11. They journeyed from the Sea of Reeds and camped in the wilderness of Sin.	11. and they removed from the banks of the sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin;
12. They journeyed from the wilderness of Sin and camped in Dofkoh.	12. thence to Dopheka, Kerak Takiph (the strong tower),
13. They journeyed from Dofkoh and camped in Alush.	13.
14. They journeyed from Alush and camped in Refidim, [but] there was no water there for the people to drink.	14. Rephidim, where, because their hands were (raphin) neglectful of the words of the law, there was no water for the people to drink;
15. They journeyed from Refidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai.	15. thence to the Graves of those who desired flesh;
16. They journeyed from the wilderness of Sinai and camped in Kivros Hata'avoh.	16.
17. They journeyed from Kivros Hata'avoh and camped in Chatzeiros.	17. thence to Hazeroth, where Miriam the prophetess was struck, with leprosy;
18. They journeyed from Chatzeiros and camped in Rismoh.	18. thence to Rithema, the place of many juniper trees;
19. They journeyed from Rismoh and camped in Rimon Peretz.	19. thence to Rumana, whose fruit is hard;
20. They journeyed from Rimon Peretz and camped in Livnoh.	20. thence to Libnah, whose borders are built of bricks (Iibnetha);
21. They journeyed from Livnoh and camped in Risoh.	21. thence to Beth Rissa;
22. They journeyed from Risoh and camped in Keheilosoh.	22. thence to Kebelath, where Korach and his companions banded together against Mosheh and Aharon;
23. They journeyed from Keheilosoh and camped in Har Shefer.	23. thence to the mountain whose fruit is good;
24. They journeyed from Har Shefer and camped in Charodoh.	24. thence to Harada, where they were confounded by the evil plague;
25. They journeyed from Charodoh and camped in Makheilos.	25. thence to Makheloth, the place of congregation;
26. They journeyed from Makheilos and camped in Tochas.	26. thence to the lower Makheloth;
27. They journeyed from Tochas and camped in Torach.	27. thence to Tharach,
28. They journeyed from Torach and camped in Miskoh.	28. and Muka, whose waters were sweet;
29. They journeyed from Miskoh and camped in Chashmonoh.	29. thence to Hasmona;
30. They journeyed from Chashmonoh and camped in Moseiros.	30. thence to Meredotha, the place of rebellion (or chastisement);
31. They journeyed from Moseiros and camped in Bnei Ya'akon.	31. thence to Bere‑Haktha,
32. They journeyed from Bnei Ya'akon and camped in Chor Hagidgod.	32. Gudgad, at the Rocks,
33. They journeyed from Chor Hagidgod and camped in Yotvosoh.	33. Jotebath, a good and quiet place;
34. They journeyed from Yotvosoh and camped in Avronoh.	34. thence to the Fords;
35. They journeyed from Avronoh and camped in Etzyon Gover.	35. thence to Tarnegolla, the tower of the cock;
36. They journeyed from Etzyon Gover and camped in the wilderness of Sin, which is Kodeish.	36. thence to the wilderness of Zin; at the Iron Mount, which is Rekem;
37. They journeyed from Kodeish and camped in Hor Hohor, at the edge of the land of Edom.	37. thence to Mount Umano, on the borders of the Land of Edom.
38. Then Aharon the kohein ascended Hor Hohor by the word of Adonai and died there; in the fortieth year of B’ne Yisrael's exodus from Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month.	38. And Aharon the priest went up to Mount Umano by the Word of the Lord, and died there, in the fortieth year from the going out of the children of Israel from Mizraim, in the fifth month, on the first of the month.
39. Aharon was 123 years old at his death on Hor Hohor.	39. And Aharon was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Umano.
40. The Canaanite, the king of Arod heard--- he dwelt in the south of the land of Canaan--- that B’ne Yisrael were approaching.	40. And Amalek the wicked, who was combined with the Kenaanites, and reigned in Arad, the house of his abode was in the land of the south, heard that the sons of Israel were coming to wage war against them, and utterly to destroy their cities.
41. They journeyed from Hor Hohor and camped in Tzalmonoh.	41. And they removed from Mount Umano, and encamped in Zalmona, a place of thorns, and narrow (or squalid), in the land of the Edomaee; and there the soul of the people was distressed on account of the way;
42. They journeyed from Tzalmonoh and camped in Punon.	42. thence to Punon, where the Lord sent burning serpents among them, and their cry went up to heaven.
43. They journeyed from Punon and camped in Ovos.	43. And they removed to Oboth;
44. They journeyed from Ovos and camped at the ruins of Avorim on Moav's border.	44. thence to the passage of the Fords, on the border of the Moabaee;
45. They journeyed from the ruins and camped in Divon Gad.	45. thence to Dibon, the place of fortune;
46. They journeyed from Divon Gad and camped in Almon Divlasayim.	46. thence to Almon Diblathaimah, where the well was hidden from them, because they had forsaken the words of the law, which are as delicious as figs (diblatha);
47. They journeyed from Almon Divlasayim and camped in the Avorim Mountains before Nevo.	47. thence to the Mount Ibraee, in front of the place of the burial of Mosheh;
48. They journeyed from the Avorim Mountains and camped in the plains of Moav along the Yardein near Yereicho.	48. thence they removed and encamped in the fields of Moab, by Jordan, near Jericho;
49. They camped along the Yardein, from Beis Yeshimos until Aveil Hasheetim, in the plains of Moav.	49. and they encamped by the Jordan, from Bethjeshimon unto the plain of Sillan in the fields of Moab.
50. Adonai spoke to Moshe in the plains of Moav along the Yardein [near] Yereicho, saying:	50. And the Lord spoke with Mosheh, in the fields of Moab, at the Jordan, by Jericho, saying:
51. "Speak to B’ne Yisrael and say to them: 'When you cross the Yardein to the land of Canaan,	51. Speak with the sons of Israel, and say to them: When you have passed over the Jordan into the land of Kenaan,
52. you must drive out all of the inhabitants of the land before you. You must destroy all their carved stones, and demolish all their cast metal idols and tear down all their altars.	52. You will drive out all the inhabitants of the country from before you, and lay waste all the houses of their worship, destroy all their molten images, and overthrow all their high places. [JERUSALEM. You will destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, make an end of all their idols, break their molten images, and overthrow all their high places.]
53. Drive out [the inhabitants of] the land and settle in it, because I have given this land to you to possess.	53. And you will drive out the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein, for I have given you the land to possess it.
54. You will give the land as an inheritance to your families by means of a lottery; to the large [family] you will increase its portion, to the small [family] you will decrease its portion. To whomever the lottery [system] ordains, it will be his; according to your paternal tribes will you inherit.	54. And you will inherit the land by lots, according to your families; to the tribe whose people are many you will enlarge, and to the tribe whose people are few, you will diminish. According to the place where one's lot falls, there will his place be; you will inherit by the tribes of your fathers.
55. But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those whom you will leave over will be spikes in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they will persecute you upon the land in which you settle.	55. But if you will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, it will be that the remnant whom you have spared looking at you with an evil eye will surround you as shields (terisin) on your sides, and afflict you in the land wherein you dwell;
56. And it will be that what I had intended to do to them I will do to you.' "	56. and it will be that as I had thought to do to them I will do to you.

Midrash Rabba for: B’midbar (Numbers) 33:1- 56

III. THESE ARE THE STAGES (XXXIII, 1). It is like the case of a king whose son was ill. He took him to a certain place to cure him. On their return journey his father began to recount all the stages, saying: ‘Here we slept; here we cooled ourselves; here you had a headache.’ So the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: ‘Recount to them all the places where they provoked Me.’ Consequently it says, THESE ARE THE STAGES, etc.

4. Another exposition of the text, THESE ARE THE STAGES (XXXIII, 1). Why were all these stations privileged to be recorded in the Torah? In return for their having received Israel, the Holy One, blessed be He, will in the future give them their reward; as it is written, The wilderness and the parched land will be glad; and the desert will rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice, etc. (Isa. XXXV, 1 f.). Now if the wilderness will be thus rewarded for having received Israel, is it not certain that one who receives scholars into his house will be rewarded all the more? You find that the wilderness is destined to become an inhabited territory, while inhabited territory is destined to become a wilderness. Whence the inference that inhabited territory is destined to become a wilderness? From the text which says, But Esau (i.e. Rome) I hated, and made his mountains a desolation (Mal. I, 3). And whence the inference that the wilderness is destined to become an inhabited territory? From the text which says, I will make the wilderness a pool of water (Isa. XLI, 18). You find that at present there are no trees in the wilderness, but in the future there will be; as it says, I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia-tree, and the myrtle, and the oil-tree (ib. 19). Nor is there, at the present time, a road in the wilderness, for it is all sand, but in the future there will be a road; as it says, I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (ib. XLIII, 19), and it says, A highway will be there and a way, and it will be called the way of holiness; the unclean will not pass over it; but it will be for those; the wayfaring men, yea fools, will not err therein (ib. XXXV, 8).

Ketubim: Targum Tehillim (Psalms) 106:19-27

JPS Translation	TARGUM
1. Hallelujah. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endures for ever.	1. Hallelujah! Give thanks in the presence of the Lord, for He is good, for His goodness is forever.
2. Who can express the mighty acts of the LORD, or make all His praise to be heard?	2. Who is able to utter the might of the Lord? [Who] is allowed to proclaim all His praises?
3. Happy are they that keep justice, that do righteousness/generosity at all times.	3. Happy are they who observe judgment, those who do righteousness/generosity at every time.
4. Remember me, O LORD, when You favour Your people; O think of me at Your salvation;	4. Remember me, O Lord, with good will toward Your people; call me to mind with Your redemption.
5. That I may behold the prosperity of Your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, that I may glory with Your inheritance.	5. To look on the plenty of Your chosen ones; to rejoice in the joy of Your people; to join in praise with Your inheritance.
6. We have sinned with our fathers, we have done iniquitously, we have dealt wickedly/lawlessly.	6. We have sinned, along with our fathers; we have committed iniquity, acted wickedly/ lawlessly.
7. Our fathers in Egypt gave no heed unto Your wonders; they remembered not the multitude of Your mercies; but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.	7. Our fathers in Egypt paid no heed to Your wonders; they did not call to mind Your great goodness; and they rebelled against Your Word by the sea, at the sea of Reeds.
8. Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known.	8. And He redeemed them for His name’s sake, to make known His might.
9. And He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up; and He led them through the depths, as through a wilderness.	9. And He rebuked the sea of Reeds, and it dried up; and He conducted them through the deeps, as in the wilderness.
10. And He saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.	10. And He redeemed them from the power of the foe; and He redeemed them from the power of the enemies.
11. And the waters covered their adversaries; there was not one of them left.	11. And the waters covered their oppressors; not one of them was left.
12. Then believed they His words; they sang His praise.	12. And they believed in the name of His Word; they sang His praise.

13. They soon forgot His works; they waited not for His counsel;	13. They quickly forgot His deeds; they did not wait for His counsel.
14. But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tried God in the desert.	14. And they made a request and tested God in the place of desolation.
15. And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.	15. And He gave them their request, and sent leanness into their souls.
16. They were jealous also of Moses in the camp, and of Aaron the holy one of the LORD.	16. And they were jealous of Moses in the camp, and of Aaron, the holy one of the Lord.
17. The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.	17. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
18. And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked/lawless.	18. And fire burned in their company; flame will kindle the wicked/lawless.
19. They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped a molten image.	19. They made a calf in Horeb, and bowed down to something of metal.
20. Thus they exchanged their glory for the likeness of an ox that eats grass.	20. And they exchanged the glory of their Master for the likeness of a bull that eats grass and befouls itself.
21. They forgot God their Saviour, who had done great things in Egypt;	21. They forgot God their Redeemer who had done mighty works in Egypt.
22. Wondrous works in the land of Ham, terrible things by the Red Sea.	22. Wonders in the land of Ham, awesome things by the sea of Reeds.
23. Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen stood before Him in the breach, to turn back His wrath, lest He should destroy them.	23. And He commanded by His Word to destroy them, had it not been for Moses His chosen one, who stood and grew mighty in prayer in His presence to turn aside His wrath from obliteration.
24. Moreover, they scorned the desirable land, they believed not His Word;	24. And their soul was repelled by the desirable land; they did not believe His Word.
25. And they murmured in their tents, they hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.	25. And they complained in their tents; they did not accept the Word of the LORD.
26. Therefore He swore concerning them, that He would overthrow them in the wilderness;	26. And He lifted his hand in an oath because of them, to throw them down slain in the wilderness.
27. And that He would cast out their seed among the Gentiles, and scatter them in the lands.	27. And to exile their seed among the Gentiles, and to scatter them among the lands.

The Midrash on Psalms (Midrash Tehillim): Psalm 106:1-27

I. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. Who can express the mighty acts of the Lord? (Ps.106:1-2). These words are to be considered in the light of what Scripture says elsewhere: Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts which are to us-ward (Ps. 40:6). What is meant by the words Many ... are Your wonderful works? They mean that every day You do for us miracles and wonderful works, of which no man knows. Then who does know? You, O Lord!

R. Eleazar ben Pedat said: Mark that it is written To Him who alone does great wonders (Ps.136:4) – that is, God alone knows [the great wonders He does]! The later verse, To Him who divided the Red Sea in sunder (ibid. 136:13), implies that God's giving of sustenance is as great a wonder as the miracle at the Red Sea. It implies further that even as the world cannot exist without God's giving of sustenance, so the world cannot exist without wonders and miracles. For example, a man is lying on his bed, and not far from him there is a snake. As the man starts to get up, the snake becomes aware of him; but as the man is about to put his feet down, the snake glides away from him. A man does not know how many such wonderful works the Holy One, blessed be He, does for him. Who does know? Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things (Ps. 72:18). Why alone? Is it conceivable that anyone else would be helping Him to do wondrous things? Alone means that God alone knows how many wondrous works He does every day. Hence David said: Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts which are to us-ward (Ps. 40:6).

And of the words They cannot be reckoned up in order unto You (ibid.), R. Aha said: We can number neither Your wonderful works which You do, nor Your thoughts. Nor can His glory be precisely reckoned. Consider an analogy of two men, one strong and the other weak. Is it possible for the weak man to recount the glorious deeds of the strong one? No! For he can have no understanding of the glorious deeds of the strong man. But the strong man knows his own strength, and he can recount the glorious deeds of another strong man. Therefore, David asked: Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? and answered: He who can show forth all His praise (Ps. 106:2).

Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? R. Samuel said: Men like us who are occupied with Torah to the full extent of our obligation.

II. Another interpretation of Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? (Ps. 106:2). When Zophar the Naamathite said to Job: Can you fathom the deep things of God? ... The measure thereof is longer than the earth (Job 11:7, 9), he meant: "Who can fathom the things in which God reveals Himself?" Is it not said: The things which are in the heights above—what can you make of them? (Job 11:8). And what is meant by the words The things which are in the heights above—what can you make of them? They mean: Can you tell how God made the heavens and the stars? Not even Moses who went up into heaven to receive the Torah from God's hand into his own could fathom heaven's depth.

R. Huna the Priest taught in the name of R. Jeremiah, who taught in the name of R. Hiyya the Great: Then I beheld all the work of God (Eccles. 8:17)—that is, beheld the Torah, as in the words "And the tables were the work of God" (Ex. 32:16). Although some say that the end of the verse, That a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun; because though a man labor to seek it out, yout he will not find it; yous further, though a wise man think to know it, yout will he not be able to find it (Eccles. 8:17) speaks of the Messiah, the wise man [Hakham], in truth, is Moses, the master of wise men [Hakhamim], who, nevertheless, could not make out all the meaning of Torah.

And who sang the praise of the mighty acts of the Holy One, blessed be He? The people of Israel, who were told Yours is the song, O Israel; who is like unto you? (Deut. 33:29). Again, They who sing are they that keep justice, that do righteousness/generosity at all times (Ps. 106:3), they being the children of Israel, as is evident from the words spoken of Abraham, I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness/generosity and justice (Gen. 18:19).

How came the people of Israel to sing the praise of His mighty acts? When they went forth out of Egypt, and the Holy One, blessed be He, did wonders for them by dividing the Red Sea for them and bringing them across it onto dry land, the ministering angels came to sing praises to the Holy One, blessed be He. But the Holy One, blessed be He, did not let them, as is said And the one came not near the other all the night (Ex. 14:20), the one and the other here clearly referring to the angels and to their singing of praise, as in the verse "And one called unto the other, and said: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory" (Isa. 6:3). Instead, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: Let Moses and the children of Israel sing praises unto Me, as is said Then let Moses and the children of Israel sing (Ex. 15:1), it is not written "Then Moses sang," but Then let Moses … sing, as though a man were saying to his fellow: "Let So-and-so sing first."

Who is like unto You, O Lord, among the mighty? ... Fearful in praises (Ex. 15:11). What is meant by Fearful in praises? R. Yudan said: It means, Your fearfulness transcends all praise that can be uttered of You. A mortal king, when he enters a city, may be praised that he is^, rich, or strong, though he is often weak; or, he may be praised that he is merciful, though he is often cruel. But with the Holy One, blessed be He, it is not so. For beyond the reach of anything a man says in praise of Him is that within Him which is ineffable. His fearfulness transcends all the praise you can utter of Him.

David said: As they praise You in this world, so will they praise You in the world-to-come: This will be written for the generation to come; and a people which will be created will praise the Lord (Ps. 102:19). And we praise You: So we that are Your people and the flock of Your pasture will give You thanks forever; we will tell of Your praise to all generations (Ps. 79:13).

III. Another exposition of Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? ... Blessed are they that keep justice, and he that does righteousness/generosity at all times (Ps. 106:2-3). His disciples asked R. Tarfon: "What man is busy in righteousness/generosity at all times?" and he answered: "He that copies out sacred scrolls and lends them to other people." The disciples said to one another: "Are, then, the instructors of the young ever idle? Or is he idle who feeds an orphan in his house?" It was argued: "But the child goes naked." Thereupon, the disciples agreed: "We must have recourse to the Modaite." They were referring to what R. Eliezer the Modaite taught: Even though the orphan child be left naked, nevertheless it is the portion of bread he is given to eat that enables him to stand up. And so he that feeds an orphan is one that does righteousness/generosity at all times.

IV. Let me be in remembrance, O Lord, in the boon that You wilt extend unto Your people (Ps. 106:4).David said: Master of the universe, when You bring deliverances through Mordecai and Esther, let me be in remembrance. [The Holy One, blessed be He, replied: As you live, I will bring you to remembrance by My saying, There was a certain Judaean (Esther 2:5),a man of David's tribe, Judah, and only after that will I say that the man's name was Mordecai].

They remembered not the multitude of Your mercies; but were rebellious at the sea, at the Red Sea (Ps. 106:7). R. Abba bar Kahana said: Two rebellions took place. Since the sea and the Red Sea refer to one and the same sea, it follows not that there were two seas, but that two rebellions took place at the sea.

R. Abba bar Kahana taught in the name of R. Levi: The sea became mire for the children of Israel, as is said You did walk through the sea with Your horses, through the mire of the great waters (Hab. 3:15); and of the Egyptians, when Israel was in bondage, it is said They made their lives bitter with hard service in mire and in brick (Ex. 1:4)^.Therefore, as the children of Israel went down into the sea, they said: Out of mud and mire we came forth, and now we come back to mud and mire.' Thereupon He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up (Ps. 106:9).

Rab Huna and Rab Aha differed. One taught: It was not by a rebuke but by raising a wind that God brought back the waters, as is said You did blow with Your wind, the sea covered them (Ex. 15:10). The other said: It was by a roaring – And He will roar against them in that day like the roaring at the sea (Isa. 5:30). The verse uses the story of the discomfiture of Pharaoh to throw light upon the discomfiture of Sennacherib, but the verse's description of this, in turn, throws light back upon the means of Pharaoh's discomfiture—the roaring of the waters against him.

V. And the waters covered their adversaries; there was not one of them left (Ps. 106:11). R. Judah and R. Nehemiah differed concerning the words not one of them was left. Not even Pharaoh was left, R. Judah taught, since it is said There was not one of them left. Pharaoh alone was left, R. Nehemiah taught, for it is said But in very deed for this cause have I made you to remain (Ex. 9:16). Some say Pharaoh was finally drowned, for it is said The Lord …. overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea (Ps. 136:15).

They were jealous also of Moses in the camp, and of Aaron the holy one of the Lord (Ps. 106:16). R. Simeon bar Yannai said: In the wilderness, Israel resolved to appoint Dathan in the place of Moses, and Abiram in the place of Aaron, for it is said Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt (Num.

14:4).

A different explanation of They were jealous also of Moses: each and every rebel against Moses made his wife drink the waters of jealousy which women suspected of adultery are made to drink. And what did the rebels bring upon themselves? The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram (Ps. 106:17).

They made a calf in Horeb (Ps. 106:19). Of this, Scripture says Also in Horeb you saddened (hiksaftem) the Lord (Deut. 9:8). R. Meir said: There are places where a mourner is called in Aramaic kasafa.

R. Simeon taught: At Horeb the children of Israel adorned themselves, and at Horeb also they stripped themselves, as is said And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments from Mount Horeb onward (Ex. 33:6).

VI. Thus they exchanged their glory for the likeness of an ox that eats grass (Ps. 106:20). R. Pappias said: By likeness of an ox is meant the likeness of the ox of the divine chariot. R. Akiba said to him: Enough, Pappias! Behold, it is written an ox that eats grass, that is, an ox in the month of Nisan when he is beslobbered with spittle.

Concerning Therefore He said that He would destroy them (Ps. 106:23)," R. Berechiah, in the name of R. Judah bar Simon, and R. Samuel bar Nahman differed. R. Berechiah said: This verse may be expounded through an analogy. A prosecutor was making accusations against a prince. What did the defender do? He thrust the prosecutor aside, and stood in his place to defend the prince. Similarly, He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen stood before Him in the breach to turn back His [accusing] wrath (Ps. 106:23). But R. Samuel bar Nahman maintained: A different analogy—a king, angry at his son, was about to sign with a reed pen the decree of punishment, but the defender snatched the reed from the king's hand. Even so Moses sought To turn back His wrath, lest He should destroy them.

VII. Therefore He lifted up His hand against them (Ps. 106:26). R. Huna taught in the name of R. Samuel bar Nahman: Because of the deed at Peor, the children of Israel were doomed to have the kingdoms rule over them, as is said Therefore He lifted up His hand against them, etc. Why such a heavy doom? Because They joined themselves also unto Baal of Peor (ibid. 106:28).

Ashlamatah: Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 11:16 -12:6 + 14:1-2

11. And it will come to pass in that day, that the Lord will set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, that will remain from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

12. And He will set up an ensign for the Gentiles, and will assemble the dispersed of Israel, and gather together the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

13. The envy also of Ephraim will depart, and they that harass Judah will be cut off; Ephraim will not envy Judah, and Judah will not vex Ephraim.

14. And they will fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west; together will they spoil the children of the east; they will put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon will obey them.

15. And the LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His scorching wind will He shake His hand over the River, and will smite it into seven streams, and cause men to march over dry-shod.

16 And there will be a highway for the remnant of His people, that will remain from Assyria, like as there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

1. And in that day you will say: 'I will give thanks unto You, O LORD; for though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.

2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for GOD the LORD is my strength and song; and He is become my salvation.'

3. Therefore with joy will you draw water out of the wells of salvation.

4. And in that day will you say: 'Give thanks unto the LORD, proclaim His name, declare His doings among the Gentiles, make mention that His name is exalted.

5. Sing unto the LORD; for He has done gloriously; this is made known in all the earth.

6. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst.' {S}

1. The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

2. Set up an ensign upon the high mountain, lift up the voice unto them, wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

3. I have commanded My consecrated ones, yea, I have called My mighty ones for mine anger, even My proudly exulting ones.

4. Hark, a tumult in the mountains, like as of a great people! Hark, the uproar of the kingdoms of the Gentiles gathered together! The LORD of hosts musters the host of the battle.

5. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of His indignation, to destroy the whole earth. {S}

6. Howl; for the day of the LORD is at hand; as destruction from the Almighty will it come.

7. Therefore will all hands be slack, and every heart of man will melt.

8. And they will be affrighted; pangs and throes will take hold of them; they will be in pain as a woman in travail; they will look aghast one at another; their faces will be faces of flame.

9. Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, and full of wrath and fierce anger; to make the earth a desolation, and to destroy the sinners/(habitual transgressors of the Law) thereof out of it,

10. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in his going forth, and the moon will not cause her light to shine.

11. And I will visit upon the world their evil, and upon the wicked/Lawless their iniquity/Lawlessness; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the tyrants.

12. I will make man more rare than fine gold, even man than the pure gold of Ophir.

13. Therefore I will make the heavens to tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of her place, for the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and for the day of His fierce anger.

14. And it will come to pass, that as the chased gazelle, and as sheep that no man gathers, they will turn every man to his own people, and will flee every man to his own land.

15. Every one that is found will be thrust through; and every one that is caught will fall by the sword.

16. Their babes also will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be spoiled, and their wives ravished.

17. Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, who will not regard silver, and as for gold, they will not delight in it.

18. And their bows will dash the young men in pieces; and they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye will not spare children.

19. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

20. It will never be inhabited, neither will it be dwelt in from generation to generation; neither will the Arabian pitch tent there; neither will the shepherds make their fold there.

21. But wild-cats will lie there; and their houses will be full of ferrets; and ostriches will dwell there, and satyrs will dance there.

22. And jackals will howl in their castles, and wild-dogs in the pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her days will not be prolonged.

1. For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land; and the stranger will join himself with them, and they will cleave to the house of Jacob.

2. And the peoples will take them, and bring them to their place; and the house of Israel will possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and for handmaids; and they will take them captive, whose captives they were; and they will rule over their oppressors. {S}

Midrash of Matityahu (Matthew) 25:1-13

1. The Kingdom (Government) of the Heavens will be like ten virgin (brides) who having taken their oil-fed lamps went out to meet the groom and the bride.

2. Five of them were foolish and five were sagacious.

3. Those who were foolish having taken oil-fed lamps with them did not take olive-oil with them,

4. whereas the sagacious took olive-oil in pitchers with their oil-fed lamps.

5. Now the bridegroom was late, so they all dozed and slept.

6. In the middle of the night, there became an outcry, ‘Look, the groom! Come out to meet him!’

7. Then all those virgin (brides) all woke up and prepared their lamps for lighting.

8. The foolish ones said to the sagacious ones, ‘Give us some of your olive-oil, because our oil-fed lamps have gone out.’

9. However, the sagacious ones replied saying, ‘No,’ they replied, ‘Rather go to those who sell olive-oil and buy it for yourselves, because there is not enough for both us and you.’

10. While the foolish ones were off buying (olive-oil), the groom came, and those who were ready went with him to the wedding with him, and the door was locked.

11. Later, the remaining virgin (brides) also came saying, ‘Master! Master! Open the door for us!’

12. Then, replying, he said, ‘Amen! I tell you, I cannot see you!’

13. Therefore be alert, because you do not see the day nor the hour.

The Rabbi’s Private Prophetic Study

For those of you, who want to know how this Torah Seder fits into the general architecture of Sefer B’midbar (Book of Numbers) perhaps this small diagram from Prof. Duane L. Christensen (The Unity of the Bible: Exploring the Beauty and Structure of the Bible, New York: Paulist Press, 2003) will help.

THE THREE MENOROT [Candelabras] OF SEFER B’MIDBAR

Menorah I – Preparing to Enter the Promised Land – Num 1:1 – 12:16

A. Military census and arrangement of the wilderness camp – Num. 1:1 – 2:34

B. Census of the Levites – Num. 3:1 – 4:49

C. Purification of the camp – Num. 5:1 – 6:27

X. Offerings from tribal leaders and consecration of the Levites – Num. 7:1- 8:26

C. Second observance of Passover (at Sinai)—the journey begins – Num. 9:1-23

B. Instructions on blowing trumpets to signal Israel is on the march – Num. 10:1-10

A. The trek from Sinai to Kadesh – Num. 10:11 – 12:16

Menorah II – From an “Unholy War” to the wars of Ha-Shem – Num. 13:1 – 25:9

A. The reconnaissance of Canaan and Israel’s unholy war – Num. 13:1 – 14:45

B. Cultic regulations – Numbers 15:1-41

C. Encroachment on the part of Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On – Num. 16:1-35

X. Aaron’s budding rod—shows special status of his priesthood – Num. 17:1-28

C. Responsibility of Aaronic priesthood and other Levites – Num. 18:1-32

B. Purification from contamination by a corpse – Num. 19:1-22

A. The trek from Kadesh to Shittim and the wars of Ha-Shem – Num. 20:1 – 25:9

Menorah III – Preparing for Life in the Promised Land – Num. 25:10 – 36:13

A. From sin at Peor to Zelophehad’s daughters (inheritance rights) – Num 25:10 - 27:1

B. Joshua commissioned to succeed Moses for Exodus into Cisjordan – Num. 27:12-23

C. Cultic calendar for life in the land [+ addendum on vows] – Num. 28:1 – 30:16

X. Holy war vs. Midian - cleansing the contamination of Peor – Num. 31:1-54

C. Allotment of land in Transjordan – Num. 32:1-42

B. The trek from Egypt to the Jordan for Eisodus into Cisjordan – Num. 33:1 – 35:34

A. Heiresses must marry within their clan (Zelophehad’s daughters) – Num. 36:1-13

For a great commentary on the Torah Seder for this week please download and print the following file: http://www.betemunah.org/stages.html . Each of the stages in the 40 year wandering in the wilderness has profound and rich meanings. We should also have in mind that these stages very much prophesy about our wandering through the nations of the Gentiles, until Messiah returns and brings us back to the good and holy land promised to our forefathers.

In our Midrash of Matityahu, we are made to contemplate the state of the Jewish people, and all G-d fearers at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, and in the day of judgment: for the parable appears to relate to both those periods. And particularly at the time in which Messiah will come to judge the world, it will appear what kind of reception his message of obedience to the Torah has met with.

This parable, or something very like it, is found in the Jewish records: so in a treatise entitled RESHEET HOKMAH, the beginning of wisdom, we read thus: "Our wise men of blessed memory say, Repent whilst you have strength to do it, whilst your lamp burns, and your oil is not extinguished; for if your lamp be gone out, your oil will profit you nothing." Our sagess add: "The holy blessed God said to Israel, My sons, repent whilst the gates of repentance stand open; for I receive a gift at present, but when I will sit in judgment, in the age to come, I will receive none."

Another parable, mentioned by Kimchi, on Isa 65:13. "Rabbi Yochanan, the son of Zachai, spoke a parable concerning a king, who invited his servants, but set them no time to come: the prudent and wary among them adorned themselves, and, standing at the door of the king's house, said, Is anything wanting in the house of the king? (i.e. Is there any work to be done?) But the foolish ones that were among them went away, and working said, When will the feast be in which there is no labor? Suddenly the king sought out his servants: those who were adorned entered in, and they who were still polluted entered in also. The king was glad when he met the prudent, but he was angry when he met the foolish: he said, Let the prudent sit down and eat, and let the others stand and look on." Rabbi Eliezer said, "Turn to God one day before your death." His disciples said, "How can a man know the day of his death? He answered them, "Therefore you should turn to God today, perhaps you may die tomorrow; thus every day will be employed in returning."

Now, there are many who profess to understand this parable, yet they err. Therefore one needs to understand the metaphors.

· Virgins

Those who truly enjoy, and those who only profess obedience to the Torah and to the Master.

· Ten

The minimum required quorum of Jewish men to hold a worship service, and to witness a marriage. Thus, representing the full congregation of Jews and G-d fearers who observe G-d’s commandments and are disciples of the Master.

· The bridegroom

The Messiah.

· The wedding

That state of felicity to which Messiah has promised to raise his genuine followers.

· Olive oil

Much and regular Torah study, prayer, and service to the community.

· The pitcher

The heart in which this oil is contained.

· The lamp,

The burning and shining light of the Torah through our example of humble obedience, manner of living and good works.

The Midrash of Matityahu procedes to state that “five of the virgin (brides) were sagacious or, provident.” The Greek has “phronimoi” – which means that they took care to make a proper provision beforehand, and left nothing to be done in the last moment. And “five were foolish.” The Greek for “foolish” here is “Moorai” which should be translated as “careless.” The Greek term is generally rendered “foolish,” but this does not agree so well with “phronimoi” - provident, or sagacious, in the first clause; which is the proper meaning, of the word. “Mooros” in the Greek Etymologicon, is thus defined, “mee hora to deon,”- “he who sees not what is proper or necessary.” These did not see that it was necessary to have oil in their vessels (much and regular Torah study, prayer, and service to the community).

The stops in the 40 year wandering through the wilderness is a story of abandoning much and regular Torah study, good deeds, community service, and prayer, and exchange for a life in the service of the self and its lusts, and progressive return to G-d.

This parable is a stern warning to all of us, that if we do not labor in the study the Torah much and regularly, adorn our lives with good deeds, loyal service to the community and heart-felt prayer at the Esnoga we will sadly miss the Master at his coming. Sadly many who call themselves Jews or profess to fear and honor G-d, most blessed be He, do not measure to this required standard. Please, it is not too late to find out how well you measure up to these high standards that the Master has set. Let us return to Ha-Shem, and bind ourselves to much and regular study of Torah, good deeds of loving-kindness, loyal service and faithful support of our community, and heart-felt prayer together with our brothers and sisters in our Jewish congregations. May this be so, amen ve amen!

Shalom Shabbat!

Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai