1)

What was the B'nos Tz'lofchad's claim?

1.

Rashi, R. Bachye and Targum Yonasan: They were arguing that, since their father left no sons, either they should stand in place of sons [and inherit], or their mother should do Yibum with their father's brother 1 (and inherit both their father's portion and that of his deceased brother - Targum Yonasan). 2

2.

Sifri: Based on a Gezeirah Shavah ?Shem? ?Yakum al-Shem Aviv? ? Devarim 26:6, in connection with Yibum ?, ?Shem? means ?Zera? (seed), meaning that, if they were not considered seed (to iherit), then their mothe should be allowed to make Yibum in order to establish seed for their deceased father.

1

Because they were Chochmaniyos, and approached Moshe as he was learning the Dinim of Yibum. See Torah Temimah on Pasuk 5, citing Bava Basra, 119b and note 10. See also Oznayim la'Torah on Pasuk 1, DH 'va'Tikravnah ... va'Ta'amodnah'.

2

As if their father had died without children.

2)

What prmpted the B'nos Tz'lofchad to state their claim now?

1.

Targum Yonasan and Sifri: Because they heard that only the males would inherit Eretz Yisrael (so they discussed among themselves what to do, 1 and came to the conclusion that, if people tend to favor males over females, Hashem has equal compassion on both, so they took their case to Moshe to place before Hashem - Sifri).

2.

Bava Basra, 119b: Because Moshe happened to have been teaching the Dinim of Yibum, 2

1

Bearing in mind that the Manna was about to cease, and they had no father or brother to sustain them. See Oznayim la'Torah on Pasuk 3, DH 'Avinu Meis ba'Midbar', who discusses their problem at length.

2

Refer to 27:4:1:1.

3)

Why did they add "ki Ein lo Ben"?

1.

Rashi: This implies that had he had a son, they would not have claimed - to teach us that they were Chochmaniyos 1 (and that a son inherits his father - Bava Basra, 110b). 2

2.

Sifri: Having already stated ""u'Vanim Lo Hayu lo", 3 they added "ki Ein lo Vein", to teach us that, even if he would have had the son of a daughter, they would not have claimed - because they were Chachmaniyos and Darshaniyos. 4

1

See Torah Temimah on Pasuk 3, citing Bava Basra, 119b, which actually learns this from "u'Vanim Lo Hayu lo" there.

2

See Torah Temimah, note 8.

3

See note on answer #1.

4

See Torah Temimah, note 9.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

4)

Rashi writes that either they should stand in place of sons, or their mother should do Yibum. What would they gain through Yibum?

1.

Moshav Zekenim: They asked, [if we do not inherit] why does she not do the Mitzvah of Yibum?

2.

Bechor Shor: The Yavam inherits his deceased brother, 1 in which case, their father's name would not be erased.

1

Refer to 27:4:1:1.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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