Numbers 27:1 - Daughters demand inheritance rights.

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Hebrew Text

וַתִּקְרַבְנָה בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד בֶּן־חֵפֶר בֶּן־גִּלְעָד בֶּן־מָכִיר בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁה לְמִשְׁפְּחֹת מְנַשֶּׁה בֶן־יוֹסֵף וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֹתָיו מַחְלָה נֹעָה וְחָגְלָה וּמִלְכָּה וְתִרְצָה׃

English Translation

Then came the daughters of Żelofĥad, the son of Ḥefer, the son of Gil῾ad, the son of Makhir, the son of Menashshe, of the families of Menashshe the son of Yosef: and these are the names of his daughters; Maĥla, No῾a, and Ḥogla, and Milka and Tirża.

Transliteration

Vatikravna bnot Tzelofchad ben-Chefer ben-Gilad ben-Makhir ben-Menashe lemishpechot Menashe ben-Yosef ve'ele shemot benotav Machla Noa veChagla uMilka veTirtza.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּקְרַ֜בְנָה בְּנ֣וֹת צְלׇפְחָ֗ד בֶּן־חֵ֤פֶר בֶּן־גִּלְעָד֙ בֶּן־מָכִ֣יר בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה בֶן־יוֹסֵ֑ף וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ שְׁמ֣וֹת בְּנֹתָ֔יו מַחְלָ֣ה נֹעָ֔ה וְחׇגְלָ֥ה וּמִלְכָּ֖ה וְתִרְצָֽה׃

Parasha Commentary

The Daughters of Tzelofchad and Their Lineage

The verse introduces the daughters of Tzelofchad, who approached Moshe with a legal question regarding inheritance in the Land of Israel. Their lineage is traced back to Menashe, the son of Yosef, emphasizing their connection to the tribe of Menashe. Rashi (Bamidbar 27:1) notes that the Torah specifically mentions their descent from Yosef because Yosef had a deep love for the Land of Israel, as seen when he requested his bones be brought there (Bereishit 50:25). This connection highlights the righteousness of the daughters, who similarly cherished the Land and sought to ensure their family's portion in it.

The Significance of Their Names

The names of the five daughters—Machlah, Noa, Choglah, Milkah, and Tirtzah—are listed with care. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:11) explains that each name reflects their righteous character and their devotion to Hashem:

Machlah – From the root mechilah (forgiveness), indicating their plea for mercy in their request.
Noa – From the root noa (movement), symbolizing their initiative in approaching Moshe.
Choglah – From the root chagal (to dance), representing their joy in performing mitzvos.
Milkah – From the root melech (king), showing their recognition of Hashem as King.
Tirtzah – From the root ratzon (desire), reflecting their desire to fulfill Hashem’s will.

Their Legal Argument and Its Impact

The daughters of Tzelofchad presented their case before Moshe, arguing that they should inherit their father’s portion since he had no sons (Bamidbar 27:4). The Talmud (Bava Basra 119b) praises their wisdom, noting that they framed their request at the appropriate time—when Moshe was teaching the laws of inheritance. Rambam (Hilchos Nachalos 6:1) derives from this episode that women inherit when there are no male heirs, establishing a key halachic principle. Their righteousness is further emphasized in the Midrash (Tanchuma Pinchas 9), which states that they were learned in Torah and merited having their names recorded in Scripture.

Their Legacy in Jewish Law

The ruling in favor of the daughters of Tzelofchad became a foundational precedent in Jewish inheritance law. The Sifri (Bamidbar 133) teaches that their case demonstrated the importance of seeking clarity in halacha and advocating for justice. Their story also underscores the value of women’s participation in Torah scholarship and legal discourse, as they were praised for their understanding and sincerity.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 119b

The daughters of Zelophehad are discussed in the context of inheritance laws, particularly their claim to inherit their father's portion in the land of Israel.

📖 Sotah 30a

The daughters of Zelophehad are mentioned in relation to their wisdom and righteousness in approaching Moses to request their inheritance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were the daughters of Zelophehad?
A: The daughters of Zelophehad were five righteous women named Machlah, Noa, Hogla, Milka, and Tirzah (Numbers 27:1). They are known for their courage in approaching Moshe to request their father's inheritance since he had no sons, leading to a new Torah law about inheritance.

Q: Why are the daughters of Zelophehad mentioned in the Torah?
A: The daughters of Zelophehad are mentioned because they brought an important question about inheritance laws before Moshe (Numbers 27:1-11). Their request led Hashem to establish that when a man dies without sons, his daughters inherit his portion in the Land of Israel, showing the Torah's fairness and responsiveness to justice.

Q: What can we learn from the daughters of Zelophehad?
A: We learn from the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11) the importance of seeking justice within Torah law. They approached Moshe respectfully but firmly to clarify inheritance rights, demonstrating that sincere questions about halacha (Jewish law) are valued and can lead to Divine rulings.

Q: Why does the Torah list the lineage of Zelophehad's daughters?
A: The Torah lists their lineage (Numbers 27:1) to emphasize their noble descent from Yosef and Menashe, showing their strong connection to the Land of Israel. Rashi explains that their righteous concern for their father's inheritance reflected the virtues of their ancestors.

Q: How does the story of Zelophehad's daughters apply today?
A: The story teaches that Torah law addresses fairness and justice. Just as the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11) sought clarification on inheritance, today we see that halacha evolves with proper questions, ensuring Jewish law remains relevant while rooted in Divine wisdom.