Inheritance is a powerful theme of this week’s portion.
Most obviously it’s addressed in a discussion about the distribution of property in a patriarchal society. What happens to the property of a man who only had daughters and no sons? (Numbers 27:1-10)
Moses consults God and receives the answer that daughters should inherit. This advice is adjusted later on to ensure that property does not leave the tribal pool when the daughters marry and have children on their own. (Numbers 36:5-12).
The idea of inheritance and succession continues as an unconscious theme as the action of the portion continues. God tells Moses he will shortly die, and this prompts Moses to ask who will lead the Children of Israel after he is gone. Moses is instructed to appoint Joshua as the next leader.
But the midrash takes a little time to delve into the subconscious processes around this moment. It has Moses wonder whether perhaps leadership, just like property, is something that passes from father to son.
Since Tzelofḥad’s daughters inherited from their father, Moses said: This is the moment for me to demand my needs. If the daughters inherit, it is only right that my sons inherit my prominence.
The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘“The guardian of a fig tree will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 27:18) – your sons sat idly and did not engage in Torah study. Joshua served you very much and accorded you great honour, and he would come early and stay late at your house of assembly. He would arrange the benches and spread the mats. Because he served you with all his might, he is worthy of serving Israel, as he will not be deprived of his reward.’ “Take for you Joshua son of Nun” (Numbers 27:18) – to realize what is stated: “The guardian of a fig tree will eat its fruit.”(Bamidbar Rabbah 21:14)
In the midrash, God is unapologetic to Moses, explaining that leadership is earned and not inherited. There are different kinds of Jewish leadership (priesthood is an inherited status), but for the most part, we favour meritocracy, and a capable leader is someone who puts in the work. In this midrash we see Joshua has having had a long and humble and diligent apprenticeship, earning his role as rightful successor to Moses.
I’m coming to the end of my time at NEMS…. It’s been an honour and I’ve got lots more to say about my relationships with the community. I’ll write about that another time, and of course I’ll come back to say some proper farewells.
Shabbat shalom and have a good summer.
Zahavit
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