Biblically speaking, women did not have a lot of power. But when you put five of them together, they could move the world. The five daughters of Zelophehad who star in this week’s Torah portion, Pinchas, are movers and shakers to the highest degree. Facing the potential loss of their inheritance in the Promised Land because of their gender, they confront Moses with their concerns. Speaking in one clear voice, Malha, Noah, Hoglah, Milha, and Tirzah overcome even Moses’ concerns, the voice of the Almighty pronouncing the final verdict. It is impossible to overstate the risk it took for them to stand up and the impact their victory had on the entire Israelite community.
On our trip to Philadelphia, we learned about the bravery of an American founding mother on her future country. When Betsy Ross was approached by a contingent led by then general George Washington to sew the first flag, the risk she was taking on was enormous. It had to be done fast and in complete secrecy. To help facilitate the process, it was Betsy Ross’ idea to lop off one of the points of a six-pointed star, to create a five-pointed one, thus saving on both material and time. A twice widowed and recently remarried entrepreneur, who owned an embroidery shop down the street from Independence Hall, Betsy Ross was an 18th Century powerhouse, who coincidentally in terms of this week’s Torah portion, had five children, all of them girls.
In admiring the beauty of the flag she helped create, take time to note the stars, remembering not only Betsy Ross’ bravery and ingenuity, but those of the daughters of Zelophehad who set the stage for all the future suffragettes and feminists from our era.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex