Summary of parashat Matot
Moses teaches the laws governing the annulment of promises to the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
A war is fought against Midian for its role in the moral destruction of Israel, and the Torah gives a detailed account of the spoils of war and how they were distributed among the people, the warriors, the Levites, and the High Priest.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad (later joined by half the tribe of Manasseh) requested the lands east of the Jordan as their portion of the Promised Land, as these lands were suitable for raising livestock. Moses was initially angered by this request, but later agreed on the condition that they first join and lead Israel in conquering the lands west of the Jordan.
