B"H

Wednesday, Tammuz 7, 5776 / July 13, 2016 - Hakhel year

The three leaders of the Jewish people at the time of the Exodus from Egypt and throughout the 40 years in the desert were; Moshe, his brother, Aaronand their sister, Miriam.

In this week’s Parsha, Chukat, the Torah relates about the passing of Miriam and Aaron. It took place during the final year in which Jews were in the desert. Miriam passed away in the beginning of the fortieth year, one year before they entered into the Promised Land. Aaron passed away four months after Miriam. Moshe passed away almost one year after Miriam.

Miriam was five years older than Moshe and two years older than Aaron. She passed away at the age of 125. Aaron lived to age 123. Moshe lived 120years.

While in the desert, G-d supplied the Jewish people with, mannafrom heaven; waterwhich flowed from a rock; cloudsof glory which surrounded their camp to protect them.

The sages tell us that the manna came in Moshe’s merit. The water came in Miriam’s merit. The clouds were in Aaron’s merit.

In this Parsha the Torah tells us that when Miriam passed away, the rock stopped giving water. When Aaron passed away, the clouds were gone.

When the water stopped, the people gathered and complained to Moshe that they had no water and were going to die. G-d told Moshe and Aaron to speak to the rock and it will give water again. But instead of speaking to the rock, Moshe mistakenly hit the rock. Eventually, the water began flowing again, but Moshe and Aaron were punished and they were not allowed to enter into the Promised Land.

Thus, Miriam, Aaron and Moshe were all buried in the desert there.

The Talmud tells that Miriam, who was five years older than Moshe, was instrumental in Moshe’s birth. When Pharaoh decreed that every male born be thrown in the river, Miriam’s father, Amram, divorced his wife. He didn’t want any more children as they would be drowned. It was Miriam, who was less than five, who told her father that his decree is in a way worse than Pharaoh’s. She said, “Pharaoh’s decree only affects males, but yours is also on the girls, who will not be born as a result of your divorce.”

Amram realized that his daughter was right. He re-married Yocheved and as a result, Moshe was born. Thus, Miriam gets recognition for Moshe’s birth.

The Talmud says, “The angel of death had no control over six people: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moshe, Aaron& Miriam. G-d Himself took their souls through a kiss.”      

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

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In loving memory of Shulamit bat Leib – Shulamit Fridman. Yartzeit is today.

May she rest in peace in Gan Eden. May her memory be a blessing.

Dedicated by her family