PARSHAT PINCHAS

Numbers Chapter 27

The daughters of Zelophehad… came forward, and his daughters' names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They stood before and before the and before the chieftains and the entire congregation at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, saying, "Our father died in the desert, but he was not in the assembly that banded together against the Lord in 's assembly, but he died for his own sin, and he had no sons. Why should our father's name be eliminated from his family because he had no son? Give us a portion along with our father's brothers. " Do you notice anything unusual in the above verses (other than this is about daughters coming forward)? What information seems important here?

So Moses brought their case before the Lord. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Zelophehad's daughters speak justly. You shall certainly give them a portion of inheritance along with their father's brothers, and you shall transfer their father's inheritance to them. Speak to the children of Israel saying: If a man dies and has no son, you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter… This shall remain a decreed statute, as the Lord commanded Moses.

According to these verses, how does a change in law occur?

Why do you think this story was included in the text?

COMMENTARY:

1. “We can have little doubt as to the importance of this tale. It was a game changer…The story of Zelophehad's daughters presents the religion of Moses as a work in progress. Because of their situation and subsequent plea, the daughters of Zelophehad effect a reform as dictated by shifting realities. More than simply seeking clarification, they bring about change.”

2. “They ask us to consider what is right, just, and relevant when faced with traditional approaches that may no longer serve a greater good. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah inspire us to do the footwork and push the boundaries, even if it brings us into uncomfortable places. They model the potential for us: to enter into the holy centers where we fight for what we believe is just.” https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/pinchas/five- women-whose-names-we-should-all-remember