When Bnot Zelophehad, the daughters of Zelophehad, learned that, as orphaned daughters, they would not inherit land when the tribes conquered Eretz Canaan, they believed an injustice had been done. After consulting with one another, they decided to confront Moshe and the leaders of the people:

And they stood before Moshe and before Elazar the priest and before the chieftains and all of the community at the entrance of the Tent of Assembly, saying, “Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not part of the community that banded together against the Lord with the community of Korah, for through his own offence he died, and had no sons. Why should our father’s name be withdrawn from the midst of the clan because he had no son? Give us a holding in the midst of our father’s brothers.” (Numbers 27:1–4)

Moshe had no answer to their plea and therefore presented their case before God. God affirmed the justice of their claim:

And the Lord said to Moshe, saying, “Rightly do the daughters of Zelophehad speak. You shall surely give them a secure holding in the midst of their father’s brothers, and you shall pass on their father’s estate to them.” (Numbers 27:6–7)

This episode is fascinating because it presents a seemingly wronged party confronting authority with a demand for justice. At the same time, it introduces a “new case” not previously covered by existing legislation, requiring divine adjudication. The sages, in interpreting this episode, had to grapple........

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