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Matot-Masey Translation: Matot=Tribes; Masay-travels/marches. These two final portions are often read together in the annual cycle of Torah readings. Together they form the end of what scholars have called the Tetrateauch on the theory that Deuteronomy was added later, and that the death of Moses transferred from the end of Numbers to the end of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy (Devarim) therefore begins and ends in the same place geographically-just east of the Jordan river, in the territory of the Moabites, about to cross into the land of the Canaanites (at least, that’s how the Torah presents the narrative. This is my last original Parashah song as I began last year with Parashat Devarim, “At this Mountain, we have been waiting….” Matot-Masey it’s the end of journey Matot-Masey the end is near Matot -Masey it’s a new beginning matot-Masey the end is near We March on to the end of the journey Each tribe-their roles are clear Looking out—Looking in At the Border We Begin 
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Matot-Masey Translation: Matot=Tribes; Masay-travels/marches. These two final portions are often read together in the annual cycle of Torah readings. Together they form the end of what scholars have called the Tetrateauch on the theory that Deuteronomy was added later, and that the death of Moses transferred from the end of Numbers to the end of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy (Devarim) therefore begins and ends in the same place geographically-just east of the Jordan river, in the territory of the Moabites, about to cross into the land of the Canaanites (at least, that’s how the Torah presents the narrative. This is my last original Parashah song as I began last year with Parashat Devarim, “At this Mountain, we have been waiting….” Matot-Masey it’s the end of journey Matot-Masey the end is near Matot -Masey it’s a new beginning matot-Masey the end is near We March on to the end of the journey Each tribe-their roles are clear Looking out—Looking in At the Border We Begin  Pinkhas Base Text: פִּֽינְחָ֨ס בֶּן־אֶלְעָזָ֜ר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן הֵשִׁ֤יב אֶת־חֲמָתִי֙ מֵעַ֣ל בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּקַנְא֥וֹ אֶת־קִנְאָתִ֖י בְּתוֹכָ֑ם וְלֹא־כִלִּ֥יתִי אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּקִנְאָתִֽי׃ Pin’has son of El’azar son of Aharon the priest has turned my venomous-anger from the Children of Israel in his being zealous with my zealous-rage in their midst, so that I did not destroy the Children of Israel in my zealous-rage. (Everett Fox Translation, 1995, Sefaria) Lyrics: Turn away my wrath from me Pinkhas in his zealotry Chorus: Shuva Maykharon Api 1 Anger never sets me free Tragedy leaves lasting scars Dig deep into who you are Chorus: Shuva Maykharon Api Anger never sets me free The desert cannot bury sin Prepare a new land and begin Chorus: Shuva Maykharon Api Anger never sets me free Shuva Shuva Yisrael Turn from anger and be well (2x) 1 יְי אֱלֺהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שׁוּב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפֶּֽךָ וְהִנָּחֵם עַל־הָרָעָה לְעַמֶּֽךָ: From the Jewish Liturgy, Tahanun: Adonoy, God of Israel, turn from Your fierce anger, and let Your mind be changed concerning the evil intended for Your people. Based on Exodus 32:12. Here, I am asking God to turn away my own wrath, or that of Pinhas, if he is speaking in the first person.  Together To Gather Mah Tovu Parashat Balak Numbers 24:5 מַה־טֹּ֥בוּ אֹהָלֶ֖יךָ יַעֲקֹ֑ב מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖יךָ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ How goodly are your tents, O Yaakov, your dwellings, O Israel, Lyrics: We come together To gather Mah Tovu (4x) Ohalekha Ya-acov Mishkenotehka Yisrael  Parashat Chukat (Based on Numbers 20:2, 5, 8-11; 21:17 and Rashi on Numbers 21:16) Water from the Rock Mayim min ha-sela’ May Merivah Mayim la’Aydah Ali Be’er, Enu Lah Water from the rock, water unlocked Moses Alone, Without Aharon Miriam Gone The Well is Dry Blood and Tears from on High  Korach (Based on The Slonimer Rebbe and Rashi’s understanding of Numbers 16:5) Boker V’Yo’da’ Hashem Ya’da dai (4x) HaMekhadesh b’tuvo (From the morning liturgy-God renews creation each and every day) B’khol Yom Tamid Ma’aseh, Ma’aseh B’resheet Each day comes anew Rethink what you do Morning reveals what is true New strength at the start I can find in my heart God will reveal the next part….  Shelakh Lecha-The Scouts Who are the People And what is this land Could we exist there And reach out a hand Mosheh sent scouts To give their report Will they share what they have Or use us for sport With God’s help we’ll cross over Reap what we sow Determine each person Whether friend or a foe Have faith in the future love humanity Trust God to stand by And watch over me Go out and set forth Do what I say Be ready stand up It’s one day away Land can be rented And only from God Lay down your swords And be sanctified.  Parashat Naso: Ruakh Kin’ah A Spirit of Jealousy Song Lyrics A Jealous rage sets the stage An angry man to withstand A woman under siege Because of Ruach Kin’ah (2x) Bitter waters hold the key To whatever faces me I stand before the priest Earth and soil at my feet Because of Ruach Kin’ah (2x) Am I Guilty or am I pure? They say the waters have the cure My body and it’s fate Will I be saved before it’s too late Because of Ruach Kin’ah (2x) She has endured all this for me I am ashamed Yet I am free But she will bear the sin Of my Ruach Kin’ah (2x) Ruach Kin’ah  |
Rabbi Elizabeth W. GoldsteinRabbi Elizabeth Goldstein is a Gonzaga Professor in the Religious Studies Department and a Jewish Chaplain to the Jewish Student Group. She is a talented musician and singer song writer in Spokane, Washington. Please contact her at Gonzaga if you would like to for Scholar in Residence or Musician in Residence programs. 
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