In Song: Mattot

By Martin Stone July 22, 2011

James Tissot, “The Women of Midian Led Captive by the Hebrews,” 1896-1900

Each week The Arty Semite connects the Torah reading — however tenuously — with a classic work of rock and roll.

This week’s parsha, Mattot, opens with laws on vows and how to annul them.

The central part of the parsha tells of the war of revenge on Midian, in which the whole tribe is wiped out in revenge for their own attempt to destroy Israel. The spoils are accounted for and tithed.

Finally the tribes of Reuven, Gad and half of Menashe are settled in the lands already conquered east of the River Jordan. In return for these lands, these tribes are drafted — on oath — to fight for the other tribes on the west side of the Jordan.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO