Parashat Masei – Summary

Parashat Masei concludes the book of Bemidbar with the final instructions and preparations for the Children of Israel's imminent entry into and conquest of the Land of Israel.
The Forty-two Encampments – Chapter 33 lists the Children of Israel's stops during their forty year journey from Egypt to the Plains of Moav, at the border of the Land of Israel. God commands the Children of Israel to drive out the inhabitants of the Land of Israel and destroy their idols lest they lead them astray.
Israel's Boundaries – Chapter 34 defines the boundaries of the Land of Israel for allocation among the 9 1/2 tribes settling the western side of the Jordan River. Tribal leaders are selected for the task of overseeing the division of the Land.
Levite Cities and Cities of Refuge – In Chapter 35, God gives instructions regarding the establishment of forty-eight Levite cities, six of which are to be specially designated as cities of refuge to provide asylum for the inadvertent murderer. The Torah proceeds to establish the criteria for intentional murder and related laws.
Tzelofchad's Daughters Marry within Their Tribe – Sefer Bemidbar concludes in Chapter 36 with the concerns of the tribal leaders of Menashe regarding the diminishment of the tribe's land should the daughters of Tzelofchad marry men from other tribes. In response, Moshe instructs the daughters of Tzelofchad to marry within their own tribe in order to preserve Menashe's tribal allotment.

Parashat Masei/ParashahSummary