For the week ending 15 July 2023 / 26 Tamuz 5783
Parshat - Matot
Questions
- Who may annul a vow?
- When may a father annul his widowed daughter's vows?
- Why were the Jewish People not commanded to attack Moav, as they were to attack Midian?
- Those selected to fight Midian went unwillingly. Why?
- What holy vessels accompanied the Jewish People into battle?
- Those who killed in the war against Midian were required to remain outside the"machane" (camp). Which machane?
- Besides removing traces of forbidden food, what else is needed to make metal vessels obtained from a non-Jew fit for a Jewish owner?
- "We will build sheep-pens here for our livestock and cities for our little ones." What was improper about this statement?
- During the conquest of the Land, where did Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven position themselves?
- What promise did Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven make beyond that which Moshe required?
All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated.
Answers
- Who may annul a vow?
30:2 - Preferably, an expert in the laws of nedarim. Otherwise, three ordinary people. - When may a father annul his widowed daughter's vows?
30:10 - If she is under 12 1/2 years old and widowed before she was fully married. - Why were the Jewish People not commanded to attack Moav, as they were to attack Midian?
31:2 - Because Moav only acted out of fear against the Jewish People. Also, Ruth was destined to come from Moav. - Those selected to fight Midian went unwillingly. Why?
31:5 - They knew that Moshe's death would follow. - What holy vessels accompanied the Jewish People into battle?
31:6 - The aron and the tzitz. - Those who killed in the war against Midian were required to remain outside the"machane" (camp). Which machane?
31:19 - The Machane Shechina. - Besides removing traces of forbidden food, what else is needed to make metal vessels obtained from a non-Jew fit for a Jewish owner?
31:23 - Immersion in a mikve. - "We will build sheep-pens here for our livestock and cities for our little ones." What was improper about this statement?
32:16 - They showed more regard for their property than for their children. - During the conquest of the Land, where did Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven position themselves?
32:17 - At the head of the troops. - What promise did Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven make beyond that which Moshe required?
32:24 - Moshe required them to remain west of the Jordan during the conquest of the Land. They promised to remain after the conquest until the Land was divided among the tribes.