23Vayismoch et yadav alav vaytzavehu ka'asher diber Adonai beyad Moshe
The fourth aliyah of Parashat Pinchas (Numbers 27:6-23) moves from the inheritance case of the daughters of Tzlofchad to one of the greatest moments in the Torah: the transfer of leadership from Moshe to Yehoshua.
The laws of inheritance: God’s answer to the daughters of Tzlofchad
God confirms the words of the daughters of Tzlofchad and says to Moshe:
“Ken bnot Tzlofchad dovrot” (The daughters of Tzlofchad speak rightly, verse 7)
and thereby commands that they be given an inheritance.
Of this moment the Talmud says (Bava Batra 119a): “the passage of inheritances was worthy of being written by Moshe, but the daughters of Tzlofchad merited, and it was written through them.”
The Torah then details the laws of inheritance in the case of a man who dies without a son. For the first time, these laws are enacted!
Moshe is commanded to view the Land
God commands Moshe to ascend Mount Avarim and see the Land, but immediately informs him that he will be gathered to his people and will not enter the Land, a consequence of the waters of Merivah.
The verse “Ka’asher meritem pi bemidbar Tzin…” (As you rebelled against My word in the wilderness of Tzin, verse 14) refers to what happened in Parashat Chukat (Numbers 20), when Moshe struck the rock instead of speaking to it.
Moshe’s request: appointing a leader
Moshe does not ask for himself or for his children; he worries about the nation’s future and requests:
“Yifkod Adonai Elohei haruchot lechol basar ish al ha’edah…” (Let the Lord, God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, verse 16)
The request is granted, and Yehoshua is chosen to continue Moshe’s path. Here appears the source of semichah, rabbinic ordination: Moshe lays his hands upon him before the eyes of all.
This is one of the most remarkable transfers of leadership in human history: no drama, no coup, no rupture. Only humility, handing over, and devotion to God’s will.
A short thought
Moshe, the towering leader, knows his end is near. And still, he worries about the flock.
Like a father seeking a match for his daughter before his death, so Moshe seeks a shepherd for the people.
And from here, for all of us: a leader must not worry only about himself, but prepare the next generation.