Mattot

Talmud Instructed Israelites to Create Arei Miklat, "Cities of Refuge"

By RABBI JACOB ELISHA FINE

In Parashat Mattot-Masei, we are reminded of our own exile and our biblically mandated communal responsibility to provide asylums, "Cities of Refuge," for those in need. Today, as Jews we must take action to ameliorate the horrific situation faced by 30 million refugees and displaced people worldwide.

Women Without Empowerment: Then and Now

By HADASSAH MAX

In the double Parashat Mattot-Massei, notes the American Jewish World Service's Hadassah Max, the focus is the role of women and how they were marginalized both by their husbands and their fathers. The Parashat reminds us that we need to make sure that women, whether in developing countries or here in America, can take control of their lives and overcome their long history of oppression.

No Neutrality: Silence is Assent

By RABBI BRADLEY SHAVIT ARTSON

Your choices and deeds build ethical memories within your children – memories that will guide them as they choose between “What is the decent thing to do?” and “What's in it for me?”