Power of You! – Parshat Mattot-Masei

We all know that we need to watch what we say. Words can hurt. Words have power. Yet we always seem to talk about the negative consequences of speech. The focus is on the mistake, the misspoken word, or the ill-timed joke. Do we have a real appreciation for the power of speech?

In this week's parsha, Parshat Mattot-Masei, Rashi points out to us the additional, seemingly unnecessary wording in the verse. The Torah says that each man must do as he vows.1 Why does it need to add that he should not break his word? Rashi explains that the Torah is precise in its prohibition to break our word. The real translation he says is that he should not make his word profane. As opposed to the usage of the word profanity as meaning "dirty words", Rashi's intent is that anything that is not used towards a worthy purpose is considered profane. The Torah then is not adding a prohibition – it is teaching us a lesson on how to view our speech – and ourselves.

We are not to view ourselves as profane, as machines to be programmed by behaviorists or well-meaning professionals with little attention to our spirit. We are not profane as we are not driven by a need for pleasure nor simply to be in control. We are imbued with an innate wanting – a search for meaning in our lives.2

This is a level higher than that of plant life and higher than that of animals. It is the level that the human can reach. We search for meaning.

This is our hope. This is what calls us forward to live our lives productively. When we treat our own words with dignity and treat others with respect our lives can be filled with joy.

Click here for another logoParsha article on Mattot-Masei (Do we Really Need to Control our Anger?)

Notes

  1. Bamidbar 32:3
  2. This concept is discussed at length by Viktor Frankl in his book Man's Search for Meaning.

Have A Great Shabbat!laughing

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