Parshas Pinchos: Kotzker Rebbe - Tzelafchad Earned His Cheilek In Eretz Yisroel
Why did Moshe need to go to Hashem to ask what to do with Bnos Tzelafchad? Isn't it obvious that he daughters should get the father's Yerusha if there were no sons? The Iturei Torah brings Rav Menachem Mendel MiKotzk who answers that receiving a portion of Eretz Yisroel is connected to keeping Shabbos. The Gemara says in Shabbos (118) whoever enjoys Shabbos will receive a portion without boundaries.
Tzelafchad was killed by Bais Din because he was Michalel Shabbos. That theoretically should disqualify him from receiving a Cheilek of Eretz Yisroel. Some say that he did it L'Shem Shamayim, to show people the punishment of Chilul Shabbos. If so, Tzelafchad should have a cheilek in Eretz Yisroel because he with his actions increased Kavod Shabbos. This was Moshe's dilemma. The only one who can resolve a question of what was truly in the heart of Tzelafchad when he was Michalel Shabbos is Hashem. Therefore when his daughters came to claim his portion of Eretz Yisroel, Moshe needed to ask Hashem.
printable version
