This shabbat, we read the parsha (Torah portion) called Matot.  Matot is plural and has three meanings:    One meaning is staff.  Another is a tribe.  The third is downwards.  An example of this meaning is  l’matah means below. This is why the Tanach (bible) is so hard to translate:  depending on which meaning you plug in, you get new levels of meaning and understanding.  If you don’t believe me, try plugging in the different meanings in the first pasuk (sentence) … Continue reading →