Parashat Behaalotcha Numbers 12:1 and Miriam and Aaron

Parashat Behaalotcha Numbers 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman. Dr. David M. Goldenberg As a Hebrew scholar, one can readily accept that the Hebrew name “Cush” is derived from “Kash”, the Egyptian name of Lower Nubia and later of the Nubian kingdom at Napata, known as the Kingdom of Kush. Today, we know that location as modern-day Sudan. Exodus 2:16-21 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock but shepherds came and drove them off. Moses rose to their defense, and he watered their flock. When they returned to tehir father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come back so soon today?” They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock.” He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why did you leave the man? Ask him in to break bread.” Moses consented to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter, Zipporah, as wife. Question: Why is Tzipporah referred to as a Cushite when she is clearly a Midianite? Talmud, Moed Katan 16b Ben Yehoyada said, “just as a dark-skinned person is immediately noticeable, so too an individual described as a Cushite is obvious and clear to all. Daniel Hays, author of From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race Cush is used regularly to refer to the area south of Egypt, and above the cataracts on the Nile, where a Black African civilization flourished for over 2000 years. John Piper, Chancellor of Bethlehem Seminary In response to Miriam’s criticism, God does not get angry at Moses; God gets angry at Miriam. The criticism has to do with Moses’ marriage and Moses’ authority. The most explicit statement relates to the marriage. Following her statement, God strikes Miriam with leprosy. Why? Consider this possibility: In God’s anger at Miriam, Moses’ sister, God says, in effect, “You like being light-skinned Miriam I’ll make you light-skinned.” So we read, “When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow” (Num. 12:10). Rabbi Angela Buchdal Miriam and Aaron don’t speak out against Tzipporah, or Tzipporah the Midianite, or even that Moses married someone who was not an Israelite. They chose to speak against this woman of color in their midst. Jamilla Hill We don’t know the language they used in the Bible, but I can tell you how it sounds today: “Are you sure you’re in the right place? “Funny, you don’t LOOK ____.” “You’re not qualified.” “You’re over qualified.” “Boy.” And this is the language that in our PC culture we have identified as acceptable. I’ve got news for you: it’s not. And it’s not the worst we hear from people in positions of authority. Brad: Now let’s play Jeopardy! I’m going to show you the answer; you tell me the question. Or, rather, I’ll share with you the response, you tell me the statement or the issue to which it is responding. Rabbi Ben Cohen There is bias in the Torah. And while we may overlook the racial overtones of the statement of Miriam and Aaron, or focus on the aspect of power in their follow-up comment, we do so at the risk of avoiding a more personal challenge to us: how do biases play out in our lives? And how lucky are we to have not been stricken with tzaraat. .

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Shiphrah & Puah Jochebed Pharoanic Princess Miriam Zipporah
Young Adult Ministry | Her Story | Theology Thursday | January 31, 2019 Miriam the original superwoman NO EXODUS WITHOUT HER • 1st Prophet ever (not just lady prophet...dudes too) • Mentioned in more Biblical books than any other woman. • Her name was most widely used name in New Testament era. All those Marys? Those are Miriams. • She never marries, nor does she have any children. • Oldest writing of Exodus story: Exodus 15:20-21, “Song of the Sea.” While Moses held the waters open, Miriam led the people through in song and dance. • There’s a fight for authority in Numbers 12. The people refuse to move until Miriam is healed and restored. • Micah 6:3 references Miriam with Aaron and Moses. 500 years later, she is prominently remembered. • Jewish tradition includes story of “Miriam’s well.” The Israelites have water in the wilderness through Miriam. When she dies in Numbers 20:1-2, the people are without water. According to the Shiphrah & Puah Targumim, Joshua leads Israelites across the Jordan River on the one year anniversary of Miriam’s death. Jochebed redemptive imagination: Themes: Pharoanic Princess How does Moses know he was Hebrew? What if...it was Jochebed, singing to him as she nursed him, telling him stories Female Heroes, Liminal Space of his people, not in spite of the Princess, but with her knowledge. Both of them Miriam committed to loving this child, deceiving the Pharaoh in preference of life. What is Miriam doing while Moses is away hiding? FOund in: Exodus & Numbers Zipporah What if...this is where Miriam’s title of prophet comes from.
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Rachel and Leah
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