Parashat Matot Ma-asei is set for this Shabbat of the week of July 14-15, 2023, or Tammuz 26 5783. The parasha is a double parasha and the last one for the book of Numbers/Bamidbar. Matot means Tribes and is in Numbers 30:2. The name of the second parasha is Ma-sei meaning Journeys, & appears in Numbers 33:1. The haftarah this week is the second in a series of three haftarot that pertain to the three weeks of negativity, aka, the three weeks of admonition or b'Ivrit, Bein HaMetzarim. Specifically the three weeks are tied to an important pair of dates, bookends if you will. These two dates are two of four dates that are found in Zecharya 8, and all four are fast days that are connected to Jerusalem and the Temple. Those dates being Tammuz 17, carrying on for 3 weeks until Tisha b'Av [Av 9].

The Haftarah passage for this week is a combo of Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4 + 4: 1-2. It is read on the second Shabbat after the 17th of Tammuz, which this year fell on July 6th, 2023. The bulk of this portion is a long list of offenses against Israel for unfaithfulness and lack of gratitude and general rebellion. The attachment to Assyria & Egypt is mentioned about Judea attempting to run to foreign nations, during its final stages of inhabiting the land, prior to the Churban, the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash. Judah went to Assyria and Egypt for help against the approaching Babylonians. The intense judgement is balanced with affirmation and encouragement to not lose hope! Join us as we go through Jeremiah's connection to this week and this season! Please write with comments or questions to FootstepsOfTheMessiah@gmail.com. Shalom!