Parshas Matos Summary

Moshe conveyed God's commands to the Israelite tribe leaders regarding commitments (נדרים‎, often known as "vows"). Following God's instructions, Moshe led a successful attack on the Midianites. The Israelites butchered every man, including the five kings of Midian and the prophet Bilam. Under Moshe's guidance, the Israelites took action, purifying themselves and their possessions. The captured goods were divided as instructed by God, with offerings made to God for atonement. The Reubenites and Gadites found suitable lands for their livestock east of the Jordan River. They requested these lands from Moshe. Moshe raised concerns about their commitment to join in the war, comparing their request to the scouts' negative impact on Israelites' morale. The Reubenites and Gadites agreed to settle their families east of the Jordan first, then fight alongside the Israelites until victory. Moshe warned of consequences for not keeping their word, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling their promise. Eventually, the agreement was carried out, granting them lands east of the Jordan.