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* Please note that when Tanach Yomi was originally compiled, Mattos/Masei was a double Parsha and the portions were combined.
In a departure from the normal G-d given commandments, a person is now given the right to take upon himself a neder (a type of vow or pledge) or a shavuah (an oath, which obligates him to do, or abstain from doing, some action). These self-appointed vows are inviolate and, if broken, carry the threat of severe punishment. A woman's vows or oaths are subject to possible nullification by her father (if she is less than twelve and a half years old) or by her husband. Moses' last military engagement is against the Midianites in retribution for the incident at Ba'al Peor (see Numbers 25) and the Israelites emerge victorious.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. Why are a father or a husband given the power to nullify a daughter/wife's vows?
2. Why is the girl or woman whose vows have been nullified in need of G-d's forgiveness (see Numbers 30:6,9)?
3.Why is the war with Midian presented as Moses' last mission before his death (Numbers 31:2)?
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"If a woman vows to be a Nazarite and her husband hears her and does not nullify the vow, Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda say, 'She places her finger in her teeth' [i.e., it is her responsibility], an if he wishes he may nullify the vow or he [the husband] may say, 'I do not wish to be married to a woman who makes vows' and then she is divorced without a ketubah [marriage contract]. Rabbi Yossi and Rabbi Eleazar say, 'He places his finger in her teeth [i.e., it is his responsibility] and if he wishes he may nullify the vow or he may say, 'I do not wish to be married to a woman who makes vows' and then she is divorced and paid her ketubah."
Talmud, Ketubot 71a
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 | | Points to Ponder | |
Why would vow-making be an undesirable quality in a wife?
Rabbi Yossi and Rabbi Eleazar place the onus on the husband. Do you agree that it should be so? Explain.
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