5 Bullet Fridays: Parshas Mattos-Masai

❓Questions I am pondering:

(Rashi 31:7) 1. How could witchcraft allow people to fly if in order to do kishuf one needs to e standing on the ground? 2. Why was the tzitz specifically able to stop Billam and the kings of Midian from being able to fly?

💡 Idea I am thinking about:

Multiplying by Zero. A basic principle in math is that any number multiplied by zero, no matter how large the number, is still zero. This basic principle is of course true with projects, planning, and general growth and self-development. When we are hitting a “zero” we naturally tend to focus to try to make the number we are multiplying bigger. However, as long as the zero remains, the result will remain zero. Focus on removing the multiply by zero; then gradually increase the number.

 💢Concept I am considering:

613 Mitzvos. The Rambam in his introduction before going through all of the mitzvos, comments that the 613 mitzvos are comprised of 248 positive mitzvos and 365 negative commandments. The 248 corresponds to the limbs in the body while the 365 alludes to the number of days in the solar year. The Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvos expounds based on a Medrash Tanchumah that the positive mitzvos are associated with the limbs of the body as if each limb was saying “Do a mitzvah with me!” while the lo sa’asehs” correspond to the days of the year as if each day was saying “Do not do an aveirah today!”

👑 Hashkafic idea I am reflecting on:

Testing Hashem. The Ramban at the end of Parshas Bo comments that from all the miracles that were witnessed in Mitzrayim and at the Yam Suf we should have pure confidence in knowing that Hashem is the Borei and Manhig. We turn to these events for the basis of our emunah and bitachon and do not depend on Hashem offering open miracles to each individual to “prove Himself”. The only area we find that it is permissible to “test Hashem” is when it comes to giving ma’aser. However, in the story of Gideon in Sefer Shoftim we find four times that Gideon asks for a sign in relation to feeling confident that Hashem was appointing him to lead Klal Yisroel against Midian. When is it appropriate to question and ask for a sign and when is it mandatory to base emunah and bitachon on makkos Mitzrayim and Kriyas Yam Suf?

😀 Middah on my mind:

Zerizus. Being proactive is generally hard as it has to fight against laziness. However on top of that, there are a number of cognitive biases that play to our disadvantage. One such challenge is a branch of availability bias which causes us to tend to overestimate what we can do in the short run but grossly underestimate what we can do in the long run. Taking goals and dividing them into measurable stages that are significant enough to challenge and feel accomplished but small enough to reach before motivation runs out is key to keeping oneself going towards long term goals.