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In our Torah portion this week, Parashat Pinchas, we encounter an inspiring story of bravery, fairness, and equality. The five daughters of a man named Zelophehad (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah) approach Moses and explain to him that their father had no sons. Because of this, they wish to receive some of his inheritance so that they can carry on the legacy of their father.
Moses, apparently not knowing the correct response to their request, inquires of God. And God responds to Moses in chapter 27, verse 7, of the book of Numbers by saying, "The daughters of Zelophehad speak properly. You shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among the brothers of their father, and you shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass over to them."
God's ruling applies not only in this specific case, we learn, but rather it becomes a new principle of the Torah. "If a man will die and he has no son, you shall cause his inheritance to pass over to his daughter." (Numbers, 27:8)
There are many examples of inequality and even discrimination in the Torah. It is an ancient document and does not always appear to reflect the modern attitudes and values held by many of us in our twenty-first century community. However, there are also examples of the Torah being ahead of its times and shining light upon new insights of ethics and morality.
This is one of those cases. It is inspiring and uplifting to behold this feminist teaching of the Torah which declares that women can inherit from their father. This is a foreshadowing of the beliefs which we treasure and hold dear; that all people must have equal rights, regardless of their gender or identity.
True and full equality has definitely not yet been achieved, all over our world, to this very day. However, with the Torah as our guide, we certainly are making progress.
Shabbat Shalom!
Cantor Zachary Konigsberg
[email protected]
917-696-0749
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