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Why does the Torah (תורה) list Moshe, Aharon, and the leaders all present when Bnos Tzelofchad ask their question? The Midrash debates whether they approached everyone simultaneously or went through a chain of command. This passage provides the source for the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s law that when a court cannot answer a question, they must accompany the questioner to a higher court.
The shiur examines the unusual phrasing in Parshas Pinchas describing how Bnos Tzelofchad approached Moshe, Aharon, the nesi'im, and the entire community with their inheritance question. Rashi (רש"י) cites a Midrashic dispute about whether they approached everyone simultaneously or went through a hierarchical chain of command, with the Torah (תורה) listing them in reverse chronological order. Rabbi Zweig explains that this argument reflects a fundamental question about the nature of their request. Were they asking for a legal ruling based on existing Jewish law, or were they requesting a special favor since they believed they had no legal entitlement? If seeking a legal ruling, they would naturally go through the proper judicial hierarchy. If requesting a favor, they would go directly to Moshe as the ultimate authority.
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Parshas Pinchas - Bnos Tzelofchad
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