The JPS B’nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary by Jeffrey K. Salkin

Author:Jeffrey K. Salkin [Salkin, Jeffrey K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: BIB000000 Bibles / General
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Mattot: Numbers 30:2–32:42

The Torah portion begins with a description of the power of the personal vow and how it must be fulfilled.

The parashah then moves into an account of the Israelites’ war against the Midianites. As the Land of Israel is divided among the tribes, the tribes of Reuben and Gad announce that they would rather stay on the other side of the Jordan River rather than entering the land.

Summary

People must fulfill what they have said that they will do. However, this pertains only to men. If a woman makes a vow, her father or husband has the power to negate it. (30:2–17)

The Israelites enter into a bloody and merciless war against Midian. Among the victims of battle is Balaam, the soothsayer. The Israelites take captive the Midianite women and children, and they also take the spoil from the battle, for which an inventory is given. Moses gets angry because the Israelites have spared every female. It was the Midianite women, after all, who had induced the Israelite men into paganism and orgies. (31:1–54)

The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask to be able to settle on the other side of the Jordan River and not enter the Land of Israel. In exchange for the granting of this request, they offer to serve as the shock troops—the advance guard—of the Israelites when they conquer the land. (32:1–42)

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