By Rabbi Asher Vaknin
Parashat Matot-Masei concludes the Book of Bamidbar and contains a rich tapestry of themes – from vows and speech, to journeys and wanderings, to borders and inheritances. Each element holds layers of meaning, and together they form a powerful message about the soul’s journey, the power of words, and the purpose of life’s ups and downs.
On the level of Pshat, the portion begins with the laws of vows: “If a man makes a vow to Hashem…”
The Torah teaches us the great power and responsibility of speech. Words are not to be thrown lightly. What a person says carries weight, obligation, and spiritual consequence.
Rav Chaim of Volozhin used to say: “A person is defined by his words.”
There’s a story of a simple Jew who promised to give charity if he survived a dangerous journey. After being saved, he forgot his vow. One day a beggar approached him, saying: “I’ve been sent to remind you – you made a promise to Heaven.” The man was shaken and remembered. He gave generously. This reminds us that Heaven takes our words seriously – and so should we.
In Parashat Masei, the Torah lists the 42 journeys of the Israelites from Egypt to the plains of Moab. On the surface, it reads like a historical logbook. But the Ramban explains that each station was a place of growth, of Divine providence, of hidden miracles. Not every stop felt significant, but each was a step in the transformation of a nation.
The same is true in life: even the dry, confusing, or painful moments are critical chapters in our personal story. Each “camp” is part of our becoming.
Interpreted through the lens of Remez – the symbolic level of Torah– our sages reveal that the 42 journeys correspond to the 42-letter name of God, and to the 42 spiritual stages each soul passes through in life. The Arizal taught that every individual experiences these journeys – not in physical deserts, but as internal transitions. “Leaving Egypt” is breaking free from toxic habits. “The wilderness of Sin” is the loneliness of spiritual searching. “Rephidim” is when enthusiasm fades. “Mount Sinai” is a moment of revelation. Rabbi Nathan of Breslov once told a student who was feeling down: “Beautiful! You’ve just crossed through the wilderness of Paran. Hold on – you’re almost in the land of holiness.”
In the world of Drash, or the interpretive tradition of Torah, the word Matot – meaning tribes – also means “staffs” or “branches, ” hinting at leadership and guidance. “Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribes” – this teaches that leaders must guard their speech most carefully.
There’s a story about the Chafetz Chaim who overheard a young man speaking gossip. He approached and asked: “Do you hope to be a leader someday?” The man said, “Perhaps.”
The Chafetz Chaim replied: “If you can’t rule over your tongue, how will you guide others?” The journeys listed in the parasha are not just historical – they’re metaphorical. As the Maharal says, life itself is one long journey, and the righteous turn every mile into a mission.
And on the level of Sod (mystical secrets), the Baal Shem Tov taught that the word Matot – branches – hints at souls that descend from Heaven into this world.
‘Every journey is a descent for the sake of ascent’
Every journey is a descent for the sake of ascent. Each step – even failure – is a step upward in disguise. Falling is part of growth. One of the tzaddikim once asked a student why he was sad. “Because I fell spiritually, ” he said. The Rebbe smiled and said: “That fall was designed to lift you higher. Just don’t stay down.”
‘Torah is…the journey’
The deepest secret is found at the very end of the parasha. After all the journeys, right before entering the Land, God gives the commandments again – not during the journey, but after it. Why? To teach us that the Torah is not just found in the destination, but in the journey itself. Our speech, our steps, our struggles – they’re all Torah. They all matter.
So whether you are in a moment of clarity or confusion, standing tall or feeling low, remember: your life is a holy journey. Each step is written in Heaven. And the destination? It begins right where you are.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Asher Vaknin
BJCC Rabbi of the Bukharian Youth
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