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A Tribute To Miriam

Parshat Chukat: Numbers 19:1-25;
Judges 11:1-33.

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JN Community Forum
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T

his week we near
the connection between
the end of a jour-
her death and the sudden
ney; and sadly, we
drought that overtakes the
lose a friend in doing so
people. Listen to the words
— a friend who has guided
of the Torah from Numbers,
us and served as our model
Ch. 20:
throughout the wandering
1.The Israelites arrived
in the desert. Thirty-eight
at the wilderness of Zin on
years pass in a fraction
the first new moon, and the
of a second, and we find
people stayed at Kadesh.
Rabbi Marla
ourselves standing with the
Miriam died there and was
Hornsten
people at the border of the
buried there.
Special
to the
Land of Israel.
2.And the community
Jewish News
And then, having settled
was without water, and they
in the place of Kadesh,
joined against Moses and
at the time of first new moon, our
Aaron.
beloved Miriam dies. Although she has
3.The people quarreled with Moses
been a mentor to the people, a woman saying, if only we had perished ...
of valor we might call her, there is no
4. Why did you bring us here, a
time of mourning; her death is related place with no grain or figs or vines or
to us as if mere fact before moving on
pomegranates ... there is no water to
to the next item of business.
drink!
But our Torah, usually quite skimpy
Without water, they are at their wits
with details, relates two significant
end. While there is no specific men-
facts here: the place and time of
tion of the water being connected to
her death. For me, this information
Miriam, the rabbis of our tradition,
provides a "hidden reverence" for
nevertheless, make the leap. The
Miriam. You see, she dies in the place
drought follows her death and con-
of Kadesh, the name derives from the
sequently, Miriam has been the one
word meaning holy. It seems only fit-
responsible for the water all along.
ting that Miriam should die in a place
Now that she is gone, there is no more
of distinction.
water, and the people, suddenly in dis-
In spite of a few mishaps, Miriam
tress, wish for death over freedom.
has been a leader of the people, and
Consequently, the story of the well,
particularly a leader of the women.
called Miriam's well, becomes her
Called prophetess and leader by our
eulogy and her legacy. She becomes
texts and our ancient rabbis, surely
associated with a well of life-giving
the place of her death — a holy place
water; and in our tradition, the story
— provides an added respect to her
becomes more and more fanciful,
character.
with the well being a miraculous one,
Further, Miriam dies at the time of
one that heals the sick and cures the
the new moon, the beginning of the
infirmed. Miriam's name is remem-
month. It is a crucial detail because we bered with honor, as she comes to
know that the moon is associated with symbolize life, hope and renewal for
women, for the two live according to
our people.
the same cycle. Moreover, the holiday
of Rosh Chodesh was the woman's
Marla Hornsten is a rabbi at Temple Israel
time for celebration and observance.
in West Bloomfield.
And so, even though no specific
mourning period is described here
for the community as a whole, it is
Conversations
understood that these women mourn
How does Miriam, as one of the
her death when they come together for
leaders of the community of
Rosh Chodesh.
Israel, serve as a role model for
Surely, there is sadness, and as we
you in your life?
shall see, anguish at her death. For
just after Miriam dies, the community
Why do you think the well is the
finds itself without water. For the
symbol of Miriam's leadership?
rabbis, it is impossible not to make

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June 17 • 2010