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Drash for Shabbat Matot-Masei By Art Geiger - July 13, 2007 In this week’s parsha, two chapters speak to us. The world we live in has changed positively from the times when these chapters were written; however, in some respects, nothing has changed. In Chapter 30, we learn that a single woman’s vow/oath is not binding unless it is agreed to by the woman’s father. A married woman’s vow/oath is binding only with her husband’s agreement. This passage leads us to think that women need men to take care of them. Women have made great strides in their ability to stand independently; however, this equal footing is still countered by glass ceilings, unequal pay, and laws that still adhere to these biblical passages. Just three months ago, the US Supreme Court upheld a law on partial birth abortion. In his written opinion Justice Anthony Kennedy stated it was ‘’self-evident’’ and ‘’unexceptional to conclude’’ that ‘’some women’’ who choose to terminate their pregnancies suffer ‘’regret,’’ ‘’severe depression,’’ ‘’loss of esteem’’ and other ills. If ‘’a necessary effect of the regulation and the knowledge it conveys will be to encourage some women to carry the infant to full term,’’ Justice Kennedy continued, that outcome will advance ‘’the state’s interest in respect for life.’’ (NY Times, 4/20/07) The government now has the capability of deciding how a woman will live her life. Chapter 31 details the Israelites taking revenge on the Midianites. Moses is angry because the soldiers spared the women and children after killing all the men. Moses’ answer is to slaughter all the boys and any woman who has carnal knowledge. Anyone left is to be enslaved. All this killing is to make the world safe for the Israelites. Obviously, it didn’t. Witness what has occurred to the Israelites over the last 2,000 years. What’s more the killing goes on at many levels: nations, religions, gangs, etc. Look at
and the list goes on and on. After 2,000 or more years of killing “our” enemies, one should realize one can’t kill enough people to be able to proclaim “I am safe.” To quote Pete Seeger “When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?” My take away from these two chapters reaffirms that all men, women, and children are equal. Until we accept each other for whom we are and the belief systems that we have there cannot be a lasting and meaningful peace. Shabbat Shalom.
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