This week’s parsha, Mattot, has some difficult passages. It contains the laws of vows and the consequences for failing to carry them out. It also speaks about how women are not responsible for fulfilling vows if their husbands or fathers do not want them to.
We then plunge head first into battle with the Midianites- defeating them, taking their valuables and killing off their males- but sparing the women. If you will recall from last week, the Midianite women were the ones who caused so much havoc in the camp. Moses was angry that they were spared. We then learn how three tribes: Gad, Menasseh and Reuven, make a deal with Moses that they will fight to conquer the Land of Canaan, but they won’t settle on the West Bank of the Jordan.
Gad, Mennaseh and Reuven,
Thought the Jordan’s East Bank was a’groovin
So they said they’d fight first
Bear the brunt of the worst
But their Cattle and kids they weren’t movin’.
- Vayikra Limerick - March 14, 2013
- A new Purim Limerick for a divided Congress. - February 21, 2013
- A New Tu B’Shvat Limerick - January 25, 2013