Sedra of the week: Matot-Masei
Rabbi Zvi Solomons looks ahead to this week's portion of the Torah
Last week, Moses was presented with a problem. The land promised to us was about to be conquered, and every tribe and family was about to be given an inheritance. Yet there were people left out of this division, and so without a means of livelihood. This was brought to his attention by the five daughters of Zelophehad, whose father was dead and who had no close male relatives.
Their objection was one that, in the days of women’s equality, we can easily understand. If the men inherit and their portion is given to their male children, what about those who have no sons? It is not fair to disinherit daughters in this way.
Moses listened carefully and asks God for a solution. Since the land was given to the men in a tribe, the women could marry within the tribe (keeping the land linked to their family).
If a person had no children, there was a simple rule as to where the land then went, male relatives in line of precedence from uncles. The law is not dissimilar to that of Levirite marriage and, as we see in the Book of Ruth, marriage and land or wealth transactions are linked.
This rule was both sensible and humane, yet it should be noted that it is not given as a permanent solution. This is just as well, as a religious Jew would have problems if the law were to be applied even today.
Instead, the law was temporary. It was annulled, and women who inherited were allowed to marry other tribes.
An interesting note is that according to some opinions, 15 Av is the date on which this law was relaxed. This later became the day on which matches were made and today remains a minor feast day of romantic connotation and celebration, known as Tu B’Av.
As we enter the second of the Three Weeks, we look forward to the happier times symbolised by this day.
- Rabbi Zvi Solomons serves the Jewish Community of Berkshire, JCoB.org
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
