B"H
Friday, Tammuz 6, 5784 / July 12, 2024
In this week’s Parsha, Chukat, we read about the passing of two of the greatest leaders of Israel: Moshe’s sister Miriamand her brother Aaron, the High Priest. They both passed away in the same year, the 40thyear after the Exodus. Miriam passed away on the 10th of Nissan; Aaron passed away close to five months later, on Rosh Chodesh Av. Moshe passed away less than a year after Miriam, on the 7th of Adar and is recorded at the very end of the Torah.
As leaders of the people of Israel, Miriam, Aaron and Moshe contributed not only to the spiritual welfare of the Jewish people, but also to their physical welfare.
Q. What was their contributions to the welfare of the Jewish people during their travels in the desert?
A. Throughout the 40 years which the Jewish people were in the desert, a wellwas imbedded in a rock, which traveled with them and supplied the Jewish camp withall the water they needed. When Miriam died, the well became dry. In Aaron’s merit, Jews were surrounded with “clouds of glory,” which protected them from the elements and from enemy danger. With Aaron’s death the clouds were gone. In Moshe’s merit they had their daily manna from heaven for forty years.
Q. From where did they get their water supply after Miriam passed away?
A. After Miriam’s passing the Jewish people complained that they had no water. G-d told Moshe to take his staff and together with Aaron speak to the rock and it will give water. However, instead of speaking to the stone, Moshe hit the rock twice. The rock began flowing water again, but not obeying G-d’s commandment precisely by hitting the rock, it was considered a sin and as a result, Moshe and Aaron were punished and barred entry into the Promised Land.
Q. Why was the water supply for the Jewish people given in the merit of Miriam?
A. G-d rewards measure for measure.When Moshe’s mother placed him in a basket at the river’s edge, 120 years earlier, due to Pharaoh’s decree to drown all Jewish males, Miriam stood by the river to watch over her brother. Miriam made sure that Moshe was protected. Because of her dedication to Moshe at the river, G-d rewarded her that the supply of water to the Jewish nation was in her special merit.
Also, Miriam had a special feeling and sensitivity for the young. While still in Egypt, under the threat of grave punishment, she devoted herself to taking care of and saving Jewish babies who were born under Pharaoh's death decree. Although Miriam was a prophetess and attained a very high spiritual level, yet she "lowered" herself and was devoted to bringing happiness and life to the "small" children. Thus, in her merit, G-d gave "water", which, just like Miriam, has the nature and quality of descending from on high to the lowest levels.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle-lighting time: 8:23 / Shabbat ends: 9:37
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.