Biblical Parallels Index – Bemidbar 36/0

Biblical Parallels Index – Bemidbar 36

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Overview

This index is meant to help the reader explore Biblical parallels, be they two accounts of the same event, stories with similar motifs and themes, or units of text which are linguistically similar and perhaps alluding one to the other. The page includes links to tools that aid in comparison, primary sources that touch upon the parallels, and summaries of and links to articles which analyze them in depth.

Two Narratives of Tzelafchad's Daughters

Makbilot BaMikra demonstrates that the story of Tzelafchad's daughters in this chapter serves as a follow-up to their story in Bemidbar 27.  Both narratives also contain certain parallels to the story of פסח שני in Bemidbar 9.  In all three chapters, members of the nation petition Moshe witha request that leads to a change in law.

Tools

• Use the Tanakh Lab to compare the two stories regarding Tzelafchad's daughters.
• The graphic concordance highlights that all occurrences of the root "גרע" in Sefer Bemidbar appear in these 3 chapters, and these comprise about 1/4 of all appearances of the root in Tanakh.  Each story revolves aroung the question of why someone in the community should "lose out" (on an inheritance, a name or the chance to to fulfill a commandment) due to circumstances beyond their control.

Articles

• See למה נגרע?! - בין פסח שני לבנות צלפחד, by R. Gad Eldad, for analysis of how the two narratives of Tzelafchad's daughters in Bemidbar 27 and 36 complement each other by reflecting the two central values of the story: respect for the individual and for the community. R. Eldad also compares the story of Tzelafchad's duaghters to that of Pesach Sheni. In both cases, the Torah teaches about the correct balance between individual and communal interests. The individual is justified in bringing his demand, but must also recognize that the legitimacy of his claim derives from his status as a member of the community. Tzelafchad's daughters are granted land but only provided that they marry within their tribe, and the petitioners in Bemidbar 9 are instructed to bring a sacrifice but only at a later date, so that their ritual impurity does not impact the Paschal sacrifice of the community.