Parashat Beha’alotcha
June 9, 2020
Laurie Stern, Kindergarten Teacher
In this week’s parashah, we are given more insight into the relationship among three fascinating siblings: Miriam, Aharon, and Moshe. I find this family to be a refreshing break from the sibling drama of the book of Bereshit — no more sibling rivalries, no fighting over birthrights or husbands, or selling into slavery. To do a quick recap (this is the “previously on” section of the episode), we meet these siblings when Moshe is a baby. His older sister Miriam watches over him as he floats down the Nile in a basket, protecting him. When he is found by Pharaoh’s daughter, Miriam is even able to convince the princess to hire Moshe’s mom as a nurse to care for him in his infancy.
Fast forward to adult Moshe at the burning bush — Hashem tells him to return to Egypt and demand from Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Moshe hesitates at first and God reassures him that his brother Aharon will be with him and speak for him. Time and time again, the brothers go to Pharaoh before the Israelites are freed. After the miracle of the red sea splitting, we meet Miriam again, mentioned explicitly by name, the Torah telling us that she led the women in singing and dancing.
Each of these siblings has a role in leading the Jewish people; each is a leader in their own way. They each use their talents in service to God and the Jewish people, and are honored for it. They are not jealous of each other — they celebrate and support each other. This week, we read in the parashah that Miriam and Aharon are together, and Miriam speaks negatively about Moshe and the fact that he has separated from his wife. Immediately Miriam is struck with tzara’at (leprosy), as punishment for her speaking lashon harah. Moshe’s reaction? He forgives his sister and implores God to heal her. God answers that Miriam must be sent out of the camp for seven days until she is healed. The whole camp waits for her until she is well again. These siblings support each other, protect each other, encourage each other, inspire each other, and celebrate each other’s unique talents and roles within the community. They make mistakes, but they forgive each other.
My tefilah for this wonderful kehilah is that we try to emulate these qualities in our relationships with others — not just our own families, but our global family — friends, neighbors, communities, and the world beyond. May we each find our tribe — related by blood or not — the people who “get” us and are there for us in good times and bad. Be there for them, be supportive and encouraging. And remember that people are human, so it is also important to forgive others and forgive yourself. May we take these lessons and bring them into our hearts and lives. Shabbat Shalom.
Fast forward to adult Moshe at the burning bush — Hashem tells him to return to Egypt and demand from Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Moshe hesitates at first and God reassures him that his brother Aharon will be with him and speak for him. Time and time again, the brothers go to Pharaoh before the Israelites are freed. After the miracle of the red sea splitting, we meet Miriam again, mentioned explicitly by name, the Torah telling us that she led the women in singing and dancing.
Each of these siblings has a role in leading the Jewish people; each is a leader in their own way. They each use their talents in service to God and the Jewish people, and are honored for it. They are not jealous of each other — they celebrate and support each other. This week, we read in the parashah that Miriam and Aharon are together, and Miriam speaks negatively about Moshe and the fact that he has separated from his wife. Immediately Miriam is struck with tzara’at (leprosy), as punishment for her speaking lashon harah. Moshe’s reaction? He forgives his sister and implores God to heal her. God answers that Miriam must be sent out of the camp for seven days until she is healed. The whole camp waits for her until she is well again. These siblings support each other, protect each other, encourage each other, inspire each other, and celebrate each other’s unique talents and roles within the community. They make mistakes, but they forgive each other.
My tefilah for this wonderful kehilah is that we try to emulate these qualities in our relationships with others — not just our own families, but our global family — friends, neighbors, communities, and the world beyond. May we each find our tribe — related by blood or not — the people who “get” us and are there for us in good times and bad. Be there for them, be supportive and encouraging. And remember that people are human, so it is also important to forgive others and forgive yourself. May we take these lessons and bring them into our hearts and lives. Shabbat Shalom.