Today I began to study Parasha Matot. Its name centrally refers to the tribes of Israel and is the last parasha to be read together with Parasha Maseij in the Sefer Bemidbar. Therefore, next Shabbat, we will soon reach a new stage in the development of the Children of Israel. At the very beginning, it speaks of vows and how to deal with them. Then the text continues with the war against the Midianites. Following a request from the tribes of Reuven and Gad, Moshe, in view of their extremely numerous herds of cattle, allocates the vast plains of Transjordan. However, he obligates them to participate in the conquest of Canaan alongside his brothers. It is the emphasis on a shared goal and the importance of all brothers standing together that deeply impresses me and is very important. After a quick recap of the stages of their journey through the desert, the Children of Israel learn from Moshe the course of the land’s borders, which they must observe. The Lord then appoints those responsible, who will assist the High Priest Eleazar and Joshua, as the leader of the people, in distributing the land. The Levite cities are then designated and given to the Levites. Furthermore, an unintentional murderer can seek refuge in them from the archaic desire for revenge among the victim’s relatives.