Zohar Summarised By Torah Portion: Matot (Numbers 30:2–32:42)
Summary of the Torah Portion
“Matot” covers a wide range of topics, focusing on the laws of vows, the war against Midian, and the settlement of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan River. The portion explores themes of personal responsibility, collective justice, and the transition toward the Israelites’ entry into the Promised Land.
Key Themes and Events:
Laws of Vows:
- The portion begins with the laws concerning vows and oaths. A vow made to God must be kept, but certain exceptions are made when a woman makes a vow. If a woman is still living in her father’s house or is married, her father or husband has the authority to annul her vow if they object on the day they hear of it.
- The section highlights the importance of taking personal responsibility for one’s words, but it also introduces the role of family authority in such matters, indicating that vows are not only individual commitments but also affect the broader family unit.
The War Against Midian:
- God commands the Israelites to take vengeance on the Midianites for leading them into sin with Baal Peor. The Israelites go to war against Midian under the leadership of Phinehas, the priest. The Midianites are defeated, and their kings are killed, including Balaam, who had tried to curse the Israelites.
- The spoils of war, including women, children, livestock, and precious metals, are divided between the soldiers and the community, and a portion is offered to the Levites and as tribute to God.
- Moses expresses anger when the soldiers return with Midianite women, who had been the cause of Israel’s downfall. He commands that all male children and non-virgin women be killed, while virgin girls are spared.
Purification of Soldiers and Spoils:
- The portion includes instructions for the purification of the soldiers who participated in battle and the spoils of war. The warriors must remain outside the camp for seven days, and they are required to purify themselves and the objects they brought back by fire or water, depending on the material.
The Settlement of Reuben, Gad, and Half the Tribe of Manasseh:
- The tribes of Reuben and Gad, who have large flocks of livestock, request to settle in the lands east of the Jordan River rather than crossing into the Promised Land. After initial resistance from Moses, who fears that this request signals a lack of faith and could discourage the other tribes, the two tribes agree to send their warriors to help conquer Canaan, promising to return only after the land is secured for the rest of the Israelites.
- Moses grants their request, and half the tribe of Manasseh joins them in settling the land east of the Jordan. These tribes are given the land of Gilead and other territories, marking a significant moment in the division of the land.
The Zohar on Matot
The Zohar delves into the themes of vows, collective justice, and the spiritual significance of the war against Midian. It provides mystical interpretations of these events and offers insights into the spiritual dynamics of responsibility, warfare, and leadership.
The Spiritual Power of Vows
The Zohar emphasizes the spiritual importance of vows and the power of words. A vow is seen as a binding spiritual contract that creates energy in the higher realms, affecting both the individual and the community. The Zohar teaches that vows must be taken seriously, as they can create positive or negative consequences in the spiritual world.
The Zohar states:
“A vow is not merely a promise but a spiritual bond that reaches the heavens. When a person makes a vow, they create a bridge between the physical and the spiritual, committing themselves to the divine. To break a vow is to sever that connection, creating disharmony in the upper realms. Therefore, vows must be made with great care, for they have the power to shape spiritual realities.” (Zohar III:234b)
This teaching highlights the responsibility that comes with making a vow and the need for caution when making commitments, as they have far-reaching effects in the spiritual world.
The War Against Midian as Spiritual Warfare
The Zohar interprets the war against Midian as not only a physical battle but a spiritual war against the forces of impurity and temptation. The Midianites had led the Israelites into sin through their women and the worship of Baal Peor, and the war against them symbolizes the battle against the lower, base desires that seek to draw people away from God.
The Zohar explains:
“The war against Midian was a war against the forces of impurity that had infiltrated the camp of Israel. Midian represents the seductive power of materialism and sensual desire, which leads the soul away from its divine purpose. The command to eliminate these forces was not only to purify the physical camp but to cleanse the spiritual realms, ensuring that the people of Israel remained aligned with the Holy One, blessed be He.” (Zohar III:236a)
This interpretation suggests that the war against Midian was necessary to restore the spiritual purity of the Israelites, who had been led astray by base desires and idolatry.
The Role of Phinehas in the War
The Zohar views Phinehas’ leadership in the war against Midian as a continuation of his role as a zealot for God’s honour. Phinehas had previously acted to stop the plague caused by the sin with Baal Peor, and his participation in the war reflects his dedication to purifying Israel and defending the divine covenant.
The Zohar teaches:
“Phinehas was the chosen vessel to lead this war, for his soul was filled with zeal for the honour of the Holy One, blessed be He. His earlier act of righteousness in stopping the plague had prepared him to be the instrument of divine justice, ensuring that the forces of impurity were eradicated from Israel. Through Phinehas, the covenant of peace was maintained, for he acted with both righteousness and mercy.” (Zohar III:238b)
This interpretation emphasizes Phinehas’ unique role as a spiritual warrior, whose actions were guided by a deep commitment to God and the covenant.
The Settlement of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh
The Zohar reflects on the request of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh to settle east of the Jordan, interpreting it as a reflection of their spiritual connection to material wealth and their desire for stability. However, the Zohar also emphasizes that their willingness to fight for the Promised Land reflects their commitment to the collective mission of Israel.
The Zohar states:
“The request of Reuben and Gad to settle east of the Jordan reflects their connection to the material world, for they were shepherds with great flocks, and their desire for land suited to their needs was strong. Yet, their willingness to fight for the sake of their brothers reveals their deeper commitment to the collective mission of Israel. Though their inheritance lay outside the land, their hearts remained with their people, and through their actions, they fulfilled their spiritual duty.” (Zohar III:240a)
This teaching highlights the balance between material needs and spiritual responsibility, showing that even those who seek physical stability must remain committed to the larger spiritual goals of the community.
Kabbalistic Interpretations
Various Kabbalists have expanded on the Zohar’s teachings on “Matot,” offering further insights into the mystical significance of vows, warfare, and leadership.
Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Arizal)
The Arizal teaches that vows are a form of Tikkun (rectification) for the soul, as they represent a commitment to spiritual growth and transformation. When a person makes a vow, they are aligning themselves with a higher purpose, and fulfilling that vow allows for the rectification of past spiritual deficiencies.
“A vow is a tool of Tikkun, where the soul commits to a higher path and rectifies its past mistakes. When a person fulfills a vow, they bring about spiritual healing for both themselves and the world, for they have made a binding commitment to the divine.” (Arizal’s teachings)
Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (Ramak)
Ramak emphasizes the importance of collective justice in the war against Midian. He teaches that the elimination of the forces of impurity is necessary not only for the individual but for the community as a whole. The war against Midian was a collective effort to restore the purity of Israel and ensure that the people remained worthy of the divine presence.
“The war against Midian was a necessary act of collective justice, where the entire community came together to eliminate the forces of impurity. This teaches us that spiritual purity is not only an individual matter but a communal one, and all must participate in the effort to uphold the covenant.” (Ramak’s teachings)
Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)
Baal HaSulam offers a psychological interpretation, viewing the settlement of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh as a reflection of the balance between material and spiritual needs. He teaches that their request represents the tension between physical security and spiritual commitment, and their willingness to fight for the Promised Land demonstrates their understanding of the greater spiritual mission.
“The tribes of Reuben and Gad sought material stability, but they understood that true security comes from participating in the collective spiritual mission. Their willingness to fight for the Promised Land shows that they did not forsake their higher purpose, even as they sought to settle outside the land.” (Baal HaSulam’s teachings)
Conclusion
The Torah portion “Matot,” as explored through the Zohar and Kabbalistic teachings, offers profound insights into the themes of vows, spiritual warfare, leadership, and the balance between material and spiritual responsibilities. The portion emphasizes personal and collective accountability, the importance of upholding divine justice, and the need for spiritual purity in the community.
Key Lessons from “Matot”:
- The Power of Words and Vows: The laws of vows teach that words have deep spiritual power and must be treated with care. Vows are binding spiritual commitments that connect the physical and spiritual realms, and breaking them causes spiritual disharmony. Vows should only be made with full awareness of their significance and the consequences of breaking them.
- Spiritual Warfare and Purity: The war against Midian symbolizes the struggle against impurity and base desires that lead people away from God. This war reflects the need to eliminate spiritual obstacles, whether external (like Midian) or internal (like temptation and ego). Phinehas’ leadership shows that spiritual zeal can restore balance when the community falls into sin, but it must be guided by righteousness.
- Material Needs vs. Spiritual Responsibility: The request of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh to settle outside the Promised Land reveals the tension between material needs and spiritual duty. While their decision to prioritize their livestock represents their attachment to material wealth, their willingness to fight alongside their brethren shows that they understood their broader spiritual responsibility to the nation. This balance of material and spiritual needs is a recurring theme in the Torah, emphasizing that both must be integrated in harmony.
- Leadership and Collective Commitment: The portion highlights the importance of leadership in both personal and collective decisions. The actions of Moses, Phinehas, and the tribal leaders demonstrate that true leadership requires balancing individual desires with collective justice, and prioritizing the spiritual well-being of the community over personal gain.
Through the teachings of Kabbalists like the Arizal, Ramak, and Baal HaSulam, “Matot” is understood as a portion that underscores the need for spiritual responsibility, the power of collective justice, and the importance of fulfilling one’s commitments to God and the community. The portion calls us to be mindful of the spiritual weight of our words, to fight against impurity in our lives, and to find a balance between our material needs and our spiritual mission.