Miriam’s Enduring Influence

~ slfuchs

Miriam’s Enduring Influence

Parashat Chukat, (Numbers 19:1-22:1) 

“And Miriam died  … (Numbers 20:1)”

At the end of the same chapter Aaron also dies, but we read of his death in greater detail because the Torah’s final editors were descendants of Aaron’s hereditary priestly line. 

I would argue, though, that Miriam’s legacy is more significant.

Our enduring memory of Aaron is as the one who weakly capitulated to the Israelites demand to make the golden calf. (Exodus, 32)

But our picture of Miriam is one of strength. The Torah identifies her as a prophet (Exodus 15:20), and she is the only female the Torah does not identify as someone’s wife or mother.

Rabbi Hama bar Hanina taught: “The righteous are more powerful after their death than during their life. (B. Hullin 7b)” That teaching underlies a rabbinic tradition that the deaths of righteous individuals can effect atonement for an individual’s sins.

 Anna Urowitz-Freudenstein notes (The Torah: A Women’s Commentary, p. 932) that this is a troubling idea. To clarify she cites Rabbi Menachem Ben Solomon Meiri (13th c.) who taught: The deaths of righteous individuals “often move the living toward introspection and private acknowledgment of wrongdoing, which then result in personal prayer for repentance.”

Surely Miriam is a person whose righteousness inspires us. 

  • She saved Moses from the waters of the Nile.
  • She led the rejoicing of our people at the waters of the sea
  • She inspired God to have a well of water accompany the Israelites in the desert. (Rashi, comment on Numbers 20:2)

Yes, Aaron receives a more grandiose burial, but Miriam’s legacy moves us to ask ourselves: How can we be more like her? Is our goal honor and glory today? Or will we care more that people remember our righteousness in years to come

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Published by slfuchs

Loving husband, father, grandfather and rabbi. Author of, "What's in It for Me? Finding Ourselves in Biblical Narratives,” "ToraHighlights,” “Why the Kof?,” “Why Triple Chai?,” "Who Created God?," and "...And Often the First Jew." On October 17, 2017, Rabbi Fuchs was selected as the recipient of the Vanderbilt Divinity School's Distinguished Alumnus Award. To be considered for this award, one must demonstrate excellence and distinction in justice-making through their efforts in congregational ministry, religious institutions, non-denominational/all-inclusive organizations, community–based organizations, government, or other social institutions. Spent last four falls serving in Milan, Italy, (2013) and Germany (2014-2016). Otherwise, he enjoy writing and speaking after serving three congregations and as President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. He is currently serving as Rabbi of Bat Yam Temple of the Islands, Sanibel, Florida.

One thought on “Miriam’s Enduring Influence”

  1. Calendar Date: Friday, June 26th, ( 2026 )

    Dear Rabbi Stephen Fuchs.

    Shabat Shalom ( ❤ ).

    I do hope that you, Wife Vickie, and Family-Extended — both individually as well as collectively — are faring as well as may be hoped for as we close out the Month of June on our Gregorian Calendars here along the waters of both the easterly Atlantic Seaboard as well as Caribbean.

    Our Tradition is passed down through the mother for some VERY good reasons, Dear Rabbi Stephen Fuchs ….

    We may notice — no less on a repeated basis — that both the the mothers as well as ladies such as Miriam define, create, as well as preserve our culture and society throughout history.

    With specific regard to the book of Exodus, ” …. It is the women who hold tightly to Judaism under oppression, … and refuse to participate in the Golden Calf, … it is because of the women, per se, that the Jewish people are redeemed. “

    Indeed, Dear Rabbi Fuchs, they deserve — both quantitatively as well as qualitatively — the highest level of nurturing, attention, warmth and protection …. Indeed.

    Please, Dear Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, allow Wife Vickie to know that her ” Fan Club ” was hollering out he name from the Bleachers ?

    Please take Very GOOD Care, Dear Rabbi.

    Aleichem Shalom ( ❤ ).

    Best always,

    Mark David Loveland

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