Tonight we had another double portion night, and closed out Numbers.
A mix of difficult topics and more technical ones:
On one hand, we got stuff like a rundown of everywhere the Israelites had traveled; the mapping of the extent of the promised land; various discussions and on the apportionment of the promised land (and the lands from the other side of the Jordan that were given to two and a half tribes); and discussions on oaths on G-d and the rules around their annulment for women who are married or young
On the other, we have the destruction of the Midianites and the killing of their male children and non-young women, as well as the distribution of the human, animal, and material spoils. We had a lot of thoughts on this! It's very uncomfortable! On one hand, it's in line with past punishments for idolatry and their past behavior towards Israel, but on the other-
A question we've come back to a lot is "was there no other way?" and the revulsion we feel at seeing what is to us a straightforward atrocity. It's hard to reconcile; it's something that leaves us asking "what are we even supposed to take from this?". Something I've come to a lot with these is that... regardless of what we ostensibly "should" or "shouldn't" take from it, i think that impulse of revulsion is necessary to hold to and understand as part of the motive force behind how the world shouldn't be like this; the desire to change the world so that our foundations no longer be soaked in so much blood.
The bit about Levite refuge cities for people who did manslaughter was also neat.
Anyways, here ended Numbers. Next week we start Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah and the fourth full book our study group has begun to read through.
Let's talk about a few comments
First, Rashi discusses the wizard battle that occurred during the battle with the Midianites

We also get some hot iron murder tips from Rashi for all your fey slaying needs

