Kohanim and Leviim performing the task of carrying the Tabernacle, the seven clouds of glory, and 600,000 Jews tarried in the wilderness for seven days awaiting Miriam̓s return from the outskirts of the encampment. Such was her reward for her watchful wait by the reeds of the River Nile when her baby brother, Moshe, was cast afloat – as Heaven deals with each individual in accordance with the pattern of behavior s/he displays to others.
Miriam the Prophetess dwells in the third stately sanctuary in the south of the Garden of Eden. With her reside the righteous females who lent loyal support and succor to their husbands in their earthly service of Hashem.
The saying in Mishlei that “Chochmas nashim bansa beisah” – the wisdom of a wife can save a household – is attributed to Yocheved, the mother of Aharon, Moshe, and Miriam, three tzaddikim and prophets who had the distinction of edifying the Jewish nation.
Miriam was a gallant source of courage and inspiration to her family and a people who were oppressed beyond the bounds of human endurance. In her merit, water surged in abundance in the dry desert; the annanei hakavod (Clouds of Glory) that miraculously accompanied and protected the Israelites on all sides were to the credit of Aharon, whose goodwill ambassadorship set a shining example for mankind for all time. It was by the virtue of Moshe Rabbeinu’s greatness that manna fell from the heavens to nourish and indulge the epicurean cravings of the B’nei Yisrael.
In Yocheved’s castle in Gan Eden, thousands of women uplift their voices in songs of praise to their Creator three times daily as a host of angels join the sweet chorus.
Hell Hath No Fury
Hell hath no fury like…Pharaoh, who, as a Midrash relates, is alive and standing at its portals, castigating the despots and degenerate dictators who are ushered into the blazing netherworld. “Scoundrels!” he scolds. “Imbeciles! You failed to learn from my obtuse ways! When I dared to defy the good and masterful Lord, He smote me with ten plagues, then drowned me in the ocean. For fifty days I was thus constrained, before He lifted me up from the murky depths when I would finally acclaim and praise His might and His Oneness!”
I Am My Beloved’s and My Beloved Is Mine
Passover is alluded to in the Torah as Chag Hamatzos (the Festival of Matzos) – divine testimony of God’s praise and affection for His children who beat a hasty retreat from Mitzrayim at His directive, with but a few hastily baked matza rounds on our backs. We, God’s beloved, are enamored of our Creator and adoringly recall when Hashem Himself passed over (pesach) the entrances to the Jewish homes on the eve of our departure from Egypt (Kedushas Levi).
The lamb – the sign of Aries – was slaughtered and roasted in each Jewish home, as per God’s explicit instructions. At the height of the lunar month’s ruling star’s power, the fifteenth of Nissan, the Egyptian deity was eaten – causing the Egyptians more heartburn thn had the foregoing plagues.
Streaks of blood from the paschal sacrifice marked the perimeter of every Jew’s doorway, singling out the domiciles that were to be “passed over” during God’s execution of makos bechoros (plague of the firstborn).
Is it conceivable that our Almighty God, Who created the universe and formed woman from man’s rib, required proof as to which dwelling harbored a Jew? In actuality, an army of frightful angels, ninety-thousand strong, rallied around the King of Heaven and earth as He embarked to personally avenge the spilled blood of His people. Since these malachim of destruction would not, upon their descent, be discerning in their offensive, the blood smears served as an alert signal – and as a reinforcement of the new zechusim (meritorious achievements) acquired by the Jews, redefining their worthiness of redemption.
