Our Shabbos Parsha this week is Matos where HaShem commands Moshe to speak to the heads of the tribes -'Matos' and tell them the Laws of making vows.
Our Rabbis say that when we make a vow,it is as if we are making a commandment on ourselves that we have to keep.This is why it is best not to vow,so that we don't break the vow.Putting a vow upon ourselves by word,is putting ourselves in the position of HaShem,Whose Commands we are to keep.Once we make a vow,we need to keep it.It becomes on us,a commandment.Thus making a vow,tends to actually add to the Commandments HaShem has given us,which we shouldn't do.Thus it is better not to make a vow at all.
We need to learn to be 'Matos' part of tribal Israel and not set ourselves apart from our fellow Jews.The word 'Matos,' also means 'branch/stem or command.'This means that we are to never forget who we are,by sticking close to the Laws HaShem gave us and be a part of the branch and stem of Yiddishkeit that has a long line of beautiful tradition back to Moshe Rabbeinu and further back to Avraham.As soon as we start to make up our own Laws (Chas Ve Shalom) (vows we must keep) it can lead to straying from HaShem's Torah.This branch of Torah is within the Neshoma of every Jew and we need to learn to hold on to it and never to let it go.So when HaShem commands the tribes - 'Matos,' HaShem is also commanding the 'Branch' - 'Matos' that is within each one of us ,never to stray and make up our own laws,but to stick strictly to Torah.HaShem is 'Commanding,' - (which also has a translation of 'Matos,') us to keep to the Laws HaShem has given us and not to put on ourselves new and other laws.History has shown that when people start to make up their own laws,cults and other religions which are Avodah Zarah,end up being the result.
Every Law that HaShem gives us has its place.We may not understand even a small minute part of the reason,but we do know that the Law has its set place like each tribe had its set place.
In Gan Eiden,Adam and Chava were kicked out of the Garden for disobeying and partaking of the Tree they should not have.Our Rabbis have suggested that the Tree was like the Torah.So this means that the 'Branches' -'Matos' of this Tree reach out for us to follow HaShem's Command,for only by that ,can we return to Gan Eiden.The action of Adam and Chava doing their own thing,led them to losing Gan Eiden.So sticking to HaShem's word,through the Holy 'Stem' and 'Traditional Branch' of Yiddishkeit and Torah will lead us back.
It was Avraham that brought us back to HaShem and taught the world of HaShem's Oneness and Oneness of Laws.The branch of Holiness went through Avraham to each one of us today and beyond.If we take the word 'Matos' its Gematriah comes to 455.This comes down to 4+5+5=14 and 1+4=5 . If we take Avraham's name,it comes to 1+2+200+5+40=248 and this comes down to 2+4+8=14 and 1+4=5.So Avraham's name is the same as Matos,the unbroken chain and branch of Holy Yiddishkeit that starts with Hashem and continues through each one of us.The keeping of the Laws of HaShem and not making up our own Laws is to be kept within every part of our physical selves for the 248 that is Avraham's name,corresponds to the same number of organs and limbs of the human body (as Taryag Mitzvos R. Kahan mentions too that 248 positive commands out of the 613 Commandments, refers to the number of organs and limbs in the body ), showing us that we are to let these Laws fill us completely and we are to be an extension of light of these Laws that radiate from HaShem.As a tree gains sustenance from its centre ,so do we as 'Matos'-'branches' gain life from HaShem,which filters down ('Matah'- meaning 'down') from on High from HaShem.
So,before you are about to make a vow,think very carefully that you will be adding to what HaShem commanded on you and this will not only affect you,but those around you (in you 'Matos') tribes.Keep in mind that we are all part of the same tree and we need to all keep to the Laws only HaShem gave.Let our people and our tribes only spread the light of HaShem's Laws,not our own.From this Shabbos on,try to keep more of HaShem's Laws and let HaShem's Laws filter out from you so that you can light up every part of this physical world.I wish HaShem with faithful love,a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and I wish all with love,a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh.