Miriam was a prophetess that helped deliver Moses from the Egyptians, was the first worship leader of Israel – singing the Song of Moses, and witness all of God’s wonders over Egypt. Yet her life ends as a mere footnote of her death in an unrelated verse. An unfortunate legacy the scriptures do not praise. Her good deeds were overshadowed the day she opposed Moses; and her speech caused a spiritual leprosy to invade Israel, even indirectly leading to the death of 14,700.
But it’s still possible for us to fall into the same temptation as Miriam, and in this story, God shows us how to avoid it.
Torah Portion: Chukat / Statute / חֻקַּת
