Drash on Matot-Masei

Rabbi Gary J. Robuck

Director of Education and Rabbi of the Progressive Congregation of the ACTJC.  

Miyut Sicha – Knowing when to stop talking

Parashat Matot, one of two Torah portions read this Shabbat, begins with this warning from Moshe to the heads of the tribes of Israel.

“If a person takes a vow to the Eternal God or an oath imposing an obligation, that person shall not break that pledge, but carry it out; all that has crossed the lips.”

What do we know about such oaths?  Yom Kippur teaches us that we can seek pardon for rash words, broken pledges, insincere assurances, and foolish promises.  The Talmud likewise states that if one makes a vow in error, it can be nullified (hattarat nedarim).  Careless words are discouraged and, in general, the less said the better.

In the Etz Chayim Chumash, its editor adds: “A word is not merely a sound, it is real, it has substance, with the power to hurt or to heal, to elevate or to denigrate.”

Words have power, both positive and negative.  Maybe that is why the Midrash teaches: “God loves and hates Israel’s voice,” while the author of the Proverbs remarks: “Death and life reside in the power of the tongue.”

With respect to how, to whom, and about what we speak, there is another concept less familiar than lashon ha’ra, but just as closely related to the midah (the virtue) of speech.  It is known as, Miyut Sicha.  Miyut Sicha inspires us to consider qualities like, stillness, quiet, silence, and reflection. To say only what is required, and no more.

Our Tradition attributes wisdom to those able to limit their words.  For example:  Rabbi Joshua ben Levi said: “A word is worth a sela (a small coin) but silence is worth two.”  His son Shimon, a chip off the old block apparently, was known to say: “All my life I grew up among the wise, and I found nothing better for a person than silence.”  (Leviticus Rabbah 16:5)

Our world: each day and every moment, is flooded by words, opinions, gossip, false conspiracies and news.  Many of these disturb the spirit and lead us far from equanimity and inner calm.

Want to clear the head?  Consider this insight from the pen of the folklorist, Noan ben Shea who wrote:  “It is the silence between the notes, the spaces between the words, that make the music and wherein resides the truth.”

Shabbat Shalom

Bring them home now!