Torah Table of Contents
The Staff of Faith of the Jewish People, Divrei Yisrael A Dvar torah from Reb Motti Rosen z"lThe Staff of Faith of the Jewish People
based on a ma'amar by the Divrei Yisrael, found in sefer Ashei Yisrael
"VaYedaber Moshe el Roshei haMatos...And Moshe spoke to the chiefs of the staves (tribes)."[Bamidbar, 30:2]
The Yalkut [Vayeshev 145] tells us that "[If you] throw a stick into the air, it will [always] land on its root." A stick is a staff, a mateh. The Jewish People are referred to as matos, as in our verse above.
The Divrei Yisrael says that this indicates that even though the Jewish People are cast about in their galus [exile], journeying and wandering about from here to there, nevertheless, they remain faithful to Hashem. [Their faith is their "root."]
In Parshas Shemos [4:2-4], Hashem asks Moshe, "What is that in your hand?" Moshe ]answers, "A staff." Moshe is then instructed to cast it down to the ground, and it becomes a snake. But when he grabs a hold of it again, it returns to its original state - a staff.
This proves exactly what the Divrei Yisrael is saying. Bnei Yisrael [the Jewish People] are "faithful sons of the faithful," which is precisely why they are referred to as Matos. Even though they are cast about in galus, wandering amongst the snakes and scorpions, nevertheless, they always "land on their feet [root]" - they remain faithful. It was precisely in response to the Moshe's doubts about the Jewish People's emuna [faith] that Hashem demonstrated this point to him.
Translated by Reb Yitzchak Dorfman of Yerushalayim, a Modzitzer Chassid
What does Hashem Elokecha ask from you, but to fear Hashem Elokecha and to walk in His ways? (Dvorim, 10:13)
A Dvar torah from Reb Motti Rosen z"l, grandson of Harav Shaul the Second Rebbe
Parshas Matos
At the beginning of Perek 32, the Pasuk tells us that the Reuven and Gad desired to settle not in the Eretz Yisrael, but on the side of the River Jordan that they stood on. These two Shevatim had an abundance of cattle and believed that this was good grazing land.
They approached Moshe and asked his permission to settle, promising that they would join the other Shevatim in conquering Eretz Yisrael before they settled down.
The Chumash tells us that they asked permission to build holdings for their cattle and cities for their families. When Moshe responds to them he reverses the order and tells them to build cities for their families and holdings for their cattle.
Why did Moshe reverse the order of their words? Moshe was teaching the Shevatim a life lesson. He told them that their families must come before their businesses. First, set up cities for your families and then set up boundaries for your businesses.
And then Moshe ended with these words "HaYotzay MePichem Tasu", what ever comes out of your mouth you must do - which means honor your words.
Two lessons that we many generations later can still find applicable to our lives today - make your family your number one priority and keep your word.