Numbers 36:11 - Daughters inherit, preserving tribal lineage.

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Hebrew Text

וַתִּהְיֶינָה מַחְלָה תִרְצָה וְחָגְלָה וּמִלְכָּה וְנֹעָה בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד לִבְנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן לְנָשִׁים׃

English Translation

for Maĥla, Tirża, and Ḥogla, and Milka, and No῾a, the daughters of Żelofĥad, were married to their uncles’ sons:

Transliteration

Vatihyena machla tirtza vachogla umilcha venoa bnot tzlofchad livnei dodeihen lenashim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּהְיֶ֜ינָה מַחְלָ֣ה תִרְצָ֗ה וְחׇגְלָ֧ה וּמִלְכָּ֛ה וְנֹעָ֖ה בְּנ֣וֹת צְלׇפְחָ֑ד לִבְנֵ֥י דֹדֵיהֶ֖ן לְנָשִֽׁים׃

Parasha Commentary

The Daughters of Tzelofchad and Their Marriage

The verse (Bamidbar 36:11) describes the marriage of the daughters of Tzelofchad to their cousins, the sons of their uncles. This was in fulfillment of the earlier ruling (Bamidbar 36:6-9) that they should marry within their father's tribe (Menashe) to prevent the transfer of their inherited land to another tribe.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the daughters of Tzelofchad acted in accordance with the Divine command, demonstrating their righteousness. They could have chosen to marry whomever they wished, but they prioritized the continuity of their father's name and inheritance by marrying within their tribe.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:11) praises the daughters of Tzelofchad for their wisdom and devotion to Torah. Their initial request for inheritance (Bamidbar 27:1-11) showed their love for Eretz Yisrael, and their compliance here further demonstrated their commitment to halacha.
The names of the daughters are interpreted symbolically: Machla (forgiveness), Tirza (pleasantness), Choglah (dancing), Milka (queen), and Noa (movement) - representing their virtuous qualities (Sifri Zuta).

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchos Nachalos 1:5-6) derives from this episode that daughters inherit when there are no sons, and that the tribe's integrity must be maintained through appropriate marriages. This became a foundational case for Jewish inheritance laws.

Spiritual Lessons

The Talmud (Bava Basra 119b) emphasizes that these women were worthy of having the halacha revealed through them. Their story teaches the importance of:

Love for the Land of Israel
Respect for tribal boundaries and family continuity
The value of women's Torah scholarship and halachic inquiry

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 120a

The verse is referenced in the discussion about the inheritance rights of the daughters of Zelophehad and their marriage to their cousins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were the daughters of Zelophehad?
A: The daughters of Zelophehad were five sisters named Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah. They are mentioned in the Torah (Numbers 27:1-11) for their courageous request to inherit their father's portion in the Land of Israel since he had no sons. Their story teaches the importance of justice and fairness in inheritance laws.

Q: Why did the daughters of Zelophehad marry their cousins?
A: The daughters of Zelophehad married their cousins (their uncles' sons) to ensure that their father's inheritance would remain within their tribe (the tribe of Menashe). This was in accordance with the Torah's command (Numbers 36:6-9) to prevent land from transferring between tribes through marriage. Rashi explains that this preserved the tribal boundaries in the Land of Israel.

Q: What lesson can we learn from the daughters of Zelophehad?
A: The daughters of Zelophehad teach us the importance of standing up for justice within the framework of Torah law. They approached Moshe respectfully to request their inheritance, showing that even women could play a role in shaping halacha (Jewish law). The Talmud (Bava Batra 119b) praises their wisdom and righteousness in this matter.

Q: How does the story of Zelophehad's daughters apply today?
A: The story reminds us that Torah law is just and inclusive, providing solutions for unique situations. It also teaches that one should seek proper channels to address concerns within halacha. The Rambam (Hilchos Nachalos 1:3) later codified the inheritance laws based on this case, showing its lasting impact on Jewish legal tradition.