Judaism is an ancient and patriarchal religious tradition. For the most part, men’s narratives dominate our religious narrative. For most of our history, men controlled religious leadership. Until recently, our images of God were almost exclusively masculine.
All the constructive changes giving women their rightful place in our religious narrative, leadership, and depiction of God have been the result of women fighting for them, and it is critical to note that this struggle is not new. They date back to the beginnings of Jewish history, as we read in this week’s Torah portion, “The daughters of Zelophehad, of Manassite family—son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh son of Joseph—came forward. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the chieftains, and the whole assembly, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and they said, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not one of the faction, Korah’s faction, which banded together against the LORD, but died for his own sin; and he has left no sons.” (Numbers 27:1-4)
They come forward, to stand before Moses and to demand their inheritance before all the Israelites. Moses takes their plea before God and God responds, “The plea of Zelophehad’s daughters is just: you should give them a hereditary holding among their father’s kinsmen; transfer their father’s share to them. Further, speak to the Israelite people as follows: ‘If a man dies without leaving a son, you shall transfer his property to his daughter.” (Numbers 27:7-8)
The Daughters of Zelophehad had the courage to defy culture and custom to demand their rights. By doing so, they changed Jewish law.
The struggle they began continues today, but it is no longer enough for women to stand up for their full equality and dignity, men must stand together with women to fulfill the vision of the Daughters of Zelophehad.
Pinchas, Numbers 25:10 – 30:1 – Parshat Ha Shavua for Shabbat, Saturday, July 11, 2020
July 9, 2020 by Dean Kertesz •
Judaism is an ancient and patriarchal religious tradition. For the most part, men’s narratives dominate our religious narrative. For most of our history, men controlled religious leadership. Until recently, our images of God were almost exclusively masculine.
All the constructive changes giving women their rightful place in our religious narrative, leadership, and depiction of God have been the result of women fighting for them, and it is critical to note that this struggle is not new. They date back to the beginnings of Jewish history, as we read in this week’s Torah portion, “The daughters of Zelophehad, of Manassite family—son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh son of Joseph—came forward. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the chieftains, and the whole assembly, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and they said, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not one of the faction, Korah’s faction, which banded together against the LORD, but died for his own sin; and he has left no sons.” (Numbers 27:1-4)
They come forward, to stand before Moses and to demand their inheritance before all the Israelites. Moses takes their plea before God and God responds, “The plea of Zelophehad’s daughters is just: you should give them a hereditary holding among their father’s kinsmen; transfer their father’s share to them. Further, speak to the Israelite people as follows: ‘If a man dies without leaving a son, you shall transfer his property to his daughter.” (Numbers 27:7-8)
The Daughters of Zelophehad had the courage to defy culture and custom to demand their rights. By doing so, they changed Jewish law.
The struggle they began continues today, but it is no longer enough for women to stand up for their full equality and dignity, men must stand together with women to fulfill the vision of the Daughters of Zelophehad.