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As the Jewish people progress beyond their sinfulness, thoughts of a bright future emerge. G-d announces to Moses that the Land of Israel will be divided proportionally, according to the size of each tribe. At the same time, it is announced that a system of lots will determine the division of the Land. The Levites, who are not inheritors of land because of their Temple service, are counted separately, and the lineage of the "royal" family of Moses, Aaron and Miriam is described here in fuller detail than that listed in the Book of Exodus. When it becomes clear that only men will be counted for the distribution of land, the five daughters of Zelophehad (whose genealogy is traced back to Joseph) approach Moses, Elazar, and the princes and plead for a share to honor their dead father's name.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. How does the Torah present the presence of the Divine within the routinely technical and political endeavor of dividing the Land? What language notes G-d's involvement?
2. To whom does the Land of Israel belong? To G-d? To man? To the Jewish people? How do the property rights as described here support your answer?
3. Compare Miriam to the daughters of Zelophehad - what prototypes are suggested for Jewish women?
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"When the daughters of Zelophehad heard that the Land was being divided by tribes and that daughters were not included, they gathered together to take counsel and they said, 'Not as the mercies of flesh and blood are those of the Holy One, Blessed be He. The mercies of flesh and blood are greater for males than for females, but the mercies of the Holy One [include] all, as it is written, "And His mercies for all His works..."'"
Sifrei on 27:1
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 | | Points to Ponder | |
Joseph, the forefather of the daughters of Zelophehad, showed the same belief in G-d and love of the Land as is now expressed by his offspring, when he asked to be buried in the Land of Israel (Genesis 50:25). When did we see his preference for G-d's help over that of people (See Genesis 41:16, 41:51, 41:52)?
What message about women's roles and halachah is suggested by the combination of the grievances of the daughters of Zelophehad, as noted in the Sifrei, and their decision to approach Moses with their respectful plea?
What can modern women learn about assertiveness in the face of established tradition from this model?
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