Matoth- Masei: Promises Promises
It is a coincidence of parshath hashevuah and daf yomi. The current tractate of the talmud is Nedarim, vows.
Vows are a major theme in both parshioth. In Matoth, explicit vaows are dealt with . In Masei the vow is more subtle, perhaps more problematic,
Matoth starts with the requirement of keeping one's vows Gd requires that the (Kellog-Briand) treaty be kept. This obligation is immediately followed by some of the conditions in which a (girl's) vow is invalidated. In the talmud, the invalidation of vows is a major subject, almost always an option,
The vow of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, to lead the vanguard for the conquest of the promised land, despite their prior settlement outside the (original) borders is the model for valid agreement: stipulating the benefits of keeping the oath and the penalty for a breech. Devorah tells us that Reuben did not participate in the battle against Sisra. ( Judges 5:16).
Gd took forty years to fulfill the Promise of the Land, and then there were people living here, people to displace by force of arms. Funny promise.
The daughters of Zelophechad are adjured to marry into their own tribe. But in Taanith (30a) we are told that this edict of endogamy was revoked, and its revocation is a source of joy, a source or the 15th of Av ( the anniversary of meeting my Karen), the day of joyous pairings in Israel, the day that remediates the first 9 days of Av. A revocation of Gd's commandment and ordinance is the source of joy.
Is no vow sacred?
Vows are a major theme in both parshioth. In Matoth, explicit vaows are dealt with . In Masei the vow is more subtle, perhaps more problematic,
Matoth starts with the requirement of keeping one's vows Gd requires that the (Kellog-Briand) treaty be kept. This obligation is immediately followed by some of the conditions in which a (girl's) vow is invalidated. In the talmud, the invalidation of vows is a major subject, almost always an option,
The vow of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, to lead the vanguard for the conquest of the promised land, despite their prior settlement outside the (original) borders is the model for valid agreement: stipulating the benefits of keeping the oath and the penalty for a breech. Devorah tells us that Reuben did not participate in the battle against Sisra. ( Judges 5:16).
Gd took forty years to fulfill the Promise of the Land, and then there were people living here, people to displace by force of arms. Funny promise.
The daughters of Zelophechad are adjured to marry into their own tribe. But in Taanith (30a) we are told that this edict of endogamy was revoked, and its revocation is a source of joy, a source or the 15th of Av ( the anniversary of meeting my Karen), the day of joyous pairings in Israel, the day that remediates the first 9 days of Av. A revocation of Gd's commandment and ordinance is the source of joy.
Is no vow sacred?
posted by Sheldon Goldberg at 10:21 PM
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