Torah Portion: Matot/Masei; Numbers 30:2-36:13

D’var Torah
You’ve heard of Abraham, Moses, and Aaron – but have you ever heard of Machlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, or Tirzah?  My guess is these names are pretty foreign, but these five women hold a central role in both last week’s Torah portion and this week’s double portion, Matot/Masei.  Machlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah—the daughters of an Israelite clansman named Zelophechad—are actually the first crusaders for women’s rights!  According to ancient Israelite law, land was passed from fathers to sons; women were left completely out of the picture.  This all changed, however, when Machlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah stepped forward and made their plea to Moses: “Our father died in the wilderness; he has left no sons.  Let not our father’s name be lost to his clan just because he had no son!  Give us a holding among our father’s kinsman!”

They asked for a change in hereditary law so that they could inherit their father’s land.  This plea stumped Moses, so he appealed to God, who responded, “Their plea is just: you should give them a hereditary holding among their father’s kinsmen; transfer their father’s share to them.”  These five women stood up for their cause, and they were rewarded; for the first time in history—not just Jewish history, but world history—women were allowed to inherit land! 

As a woman, these five foremothers inspire me and fill me with joy and pride.  As a Jew, my pride comes from another source; the story of these five women shows that Judaism places a premium on the pursuit of justice.  Like Moses, like God, we continue to allow our beliefs and assumptions to be challenged, and we change our actions, rulings, and behaviors for a just cause.  The roots of this approach lie in our Torah; the fruits do and should come forth in our pursuit of social justice today.  Let this Torah portion inspire and motivate you to find just causes and work for them – this Shabbat, this week, and beyond.  Shabbat Shalom!

For more insight into this week’s Torah portion, visit urj.org/torah.

Shalom, Rabbi Annie