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Numbers 36:6 - Tribal inheritance through marriage?

Numbers 36:6 - במדבר 36:6

Hebrew Text

זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה יְהוָה לִבְנוֹת צְלָפְחָד לֵאמֹר לַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֵיהֶם תִּהְיֶינָה לְנָשִׁים אַךְ לְמִשְׁפַּחַת מַטֵּה אֲבִיהֶם תִּהְיֶינָה לְנָשִׁים׃

English Translation

This is the thing which the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Żelofĥad, saying, Let them marry whom they think best; only within the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.

Transliteration

Ze ha'davar asher-tzivah Adonai liv'not Tzelofchad lemor la'tov b'eineihem tih'yena l'nashim ach l'mishpachat mateh avihen tih'yena l'nashim.

Hebrew Leining Text

זֶ֣ה הַדָּבָ֞ר אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֗ה לִבְנ֤וֹת צְלׇפְחָד֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לַטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֖ם תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה לְנָשִׁ֑ים אַ֗ךְ לְמִשְׁפַּ֛חַת מַטֵּ֥ה אֲבִיהֶ֖ם תִּהְיֶ֥ינָה לְנָשִֽׁים׃
זֶ֣ה הַדָּבָ֞ר אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֗ה לִבְנ֤וֹת צְלׇפְחָד֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לַטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֖ם תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה לְנָשִׁ֑ים אַ֗ךְ לְמִשְׁפַּ֛חַת מַטֵּ֥ה אֲבִיהֶ֖ם תִּהְיֶ֥ינָה לְנָשִֽׁים׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Bamidbar 36:6) addresses the daughters of Tzelofchad, who had previously petitioned Moshe for the right to inherit their father's portion in Eretz Yisrael since he had no sons (Bamidbar 27:1-11). Here, Hashem clarifies the conditions under which they may marry to ensure their inheritance remains within their father's tribe.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the phrase "לַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֵיהֶם תִּהְיֶינָה לְנָשִׁים" ("Let them marry whom they think best") means they are permitted to marry any man they choose—provided he is from their father's tribe (Menashe). This ensures the land inheritance does not transfer to another tribe through marriage (Rashi on Bamidbar 36:6).

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

Rambam (Hilchos Nachalos 6:1-2) rules that this law applies universally: if a daughter inherits land (due to lacking brothers), she must marry within her father's tribe to prevent tribal land redistribution. This maintains the integrity of the original tribal allotments given at the time of Yehoshua's conquest.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:12) highlights the righteousness of Bnos Tzelofchad, noting their love for Eretz Yisrael motivated both their initial request and their compliance with this marital restriction. Their example teaches that personal desires should align with halachic boundaries for the greater good of Klal Yisrael.

Key Lessons

  • Preservation of Tribal Identity: The restriction safeguards the Divine plan for tribal territories, emphasizing collective responsibility over individual preference.
  • Balancing Rights and Obligations: While the daughters were granted inheritance rights, those rights came with conditions to protect national interests.
  • Halachic Flexibility: The Torah’s response to their petition shows that halachah addresses unique circumstances while upholding foundational principles.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 120a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of inheritance, particularly regarding the daughters of Zelophehad and their right to inherit their father's portion in the land of Israel.
📖 Sotah 44a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the obligations and rights of women in matters of marriage and inheritance, emphasizing the importance of marrying within one's tribe to maintain tribal land holdings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 36:6 mean?
A: Numbers 36:6 addresses the daughters of Tzelofchad, who were allowed to inherit their father's land since he had no sons. The verse states that they could marry whomever they wished, but only within their father's tribe (the tribe of Menashe). This ensured that the inherited land would not transfer to another tribe through marriage, maintaining tribal land divisions in Israel.
Q: Why was it important for the daughters of Tzelofchad to marry within their tribe?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Bava Batra 120a), this law preserved the tribal land allocations given by Hashem. If the daughters married outside their tribe, their inherited land would pass to their husband's tribe during the Jubilee year (Yovel). The Torah emphasizes keeping tribal inheritances intact to maintain the integrity of the Land of Israel's division among the twelve tribes.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse?
A: This teaches the importance of balancing personal freedom with communal responsibility. While the daughters had the right to choose their husbands, they also had a duty to their tribe. The Rambam (Hilchos Nachalos 6:1) explains that this law highlights how individual actions must consider the greater good, ensuring the stability of Jewish inheritance laws.
Q: Does this law apply today?
A: While tribal land divisions are not currently in effect (since the tribal identities were lost after the Babylonian exile), the principle remains relevant. Jewish law (halacha) still prioritizes preserving family and communal heritage. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:12) connects this to broader lessons about maintaining Jewish continuity and identity.
Q: Why did Hashem specifically command this for the daughters of Tzelofchad?
A: The Midrash (Sifri Bamidbar 133) explains that their case set a precedent for inheritance laws. Since they demonstrated deep devotion to their father's legacy (as seen earlier in Numbers 27), Hashem honored their request to inherit—but with conditions to protect tribal unity. This shows divine justice rewards sincerity while upholding Torah structure.