Healing Miriam: A Ritual to Prepare for Beha’alotekha

 

 

 

 

There’s a legend that while Miram lived, a miraculous well accompanied her and the Israelites throughout the wilderness. When she died, the well disappeared. We know from the text of Beha’alotekha that when MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance. was subjected to leprosy (as a punishment for something both she and AaronBrother of Moses, chosen as Moses' interlocutor. His Hebrew name is Aharon. had said, but with only Miriam showing visible signs), the Israelites waited for her for the seven days required to heal her. When Aaron begged MosesThe quintessential Jewish leader who spoke face to face with God, unlike any other prophet, and who freed the people from Egypt, led them through the desert for forty years, and received the Torah on Mt. Sinai. His Hebrew name is Moshe. to do something, Moses cried out, “El na, r’fa na la”, or as the tropes suggest, “God PLEASE, heal her, PLEASE!”

 

 

Part One

Find a word from this list (or add your own) to describe what Miriam provided for the Israelites. While we are finding the words, I and anyone who wishes can join me in a niggun when they feel comfortable.

 

 

 

(Acknowledge in advance that this part may bring back some difficult feelings.)

 

How  do you think Miriam felt to be put outside of  the Israelite encampment  for seven days? Choose a word from this list or write your own.

 

 

 

Knowing what Miriam was to the Israelites, imagine what they might leave for her to find JUST at the entrance to the camp: either some of the words used in Part One or physical objects to help her feel seen, heard, valued and to let her know that she’s not alone. When you’ve chosen, please add words to the ribbon and physical objects to the bowl. For those online, kindly put words in the chat if you wish to have them read aloud. We’ll add them to the bowl at a later date. We’ll conclude with the niggun we learned earlier.