In Parashat Pinchas, we meet five bold sisters: Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These women have no brothers, and when their father dies, they see in the inheritance law that God has given to Moses (so far!) that there is no provision for daughters to inherit from their fathers—even when he dies without sons.  

These daughters stand before Moses, the priests and chieftains, and all the Israelites to make a request (or perhaps a demand?): “Let not our father’s name be lost to his clan just because he had no son! Give us a holding among our father’s kinsmen!” (Num. 27:4) 

It works. Moses consults with God, who agrees to change the rules (!) so that daughters without brothers can inherit from their father. They are successful because: 

1. They are brave enough to ask (or request, or demand). Perhaps they recognize that they have nothing to lose by asking. Maybe they’re motivated by fairness, by respect for their late father, or by desire for economic stability. Whatever their motivation, they have courage to advocate for themselves.  
2. The sisters are also shrewd enough to appeal to the values of the men in power: they request that their “father’s name not be lost to his clan.” They know that legacy is important to those in power. They know that Moses and the chieftains might struggle to identify with a woman—but easily identify with a father, even one with no sons. When making their request, they speak in terms that resonate with those in power. 

We, too, can be both brave and shrewd when we advocate for change. We can ask for what we want and make that ask in ways that appeal to our listeners’ interests.  

What is a change you want to advocate for? 

How can you appeal to the interests of those in positions of power when you make your ask, request, or even demand?