My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Hukkat (2)
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on June 30, 2009 | Tags: Chukat
In Parshah Hukkat (the first of this week’s double portion) the rabbis make much of the juxtaposition of two verses. In the first we’re told the Israelites arrive at Kadesh and that “Miriam died there and was buried there.” (Num. 20:1). The very next verse declares, “The community was without water, and they joined against Moses and Aaron.” What is the significance of one following the other? Miriam is associated with water from making sure baby Moses was rescued from the river to her leading the women in song and dance after the parting of the sea. A Midrashic legend has it that Miriam’s piety was rewarded by having a well emerge wherever the Israelites camped. Once she was gone, so was the well. Whether you accept that as literally true or not, it’s clear that the text is showing that things changed after Miriam died, and that she had been an important influence on her brothers. Don’t take the people in your life for granted. You may miss them in ways you can’t even anticipate when they’re gone.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
