Miryam's Space

Have you had mentors who energized and inspired you? I have been fortunate to have teachers, Rabbis and Hazzanim who inspired me. My dearest hope is to touch others in this way – if you touch the two flames together, they shine more brightly.

Moses was the greatest teacher the Israelites have had. Very soon, by the end of this week’s Torah reading, B’haalot’cha, we will see the foundation for insurrection. A rejection of Sinai, a desire to return to slavery and the old ways. A rejection of Manna which was heaven sent for cucumbers, leeks, and most of all meat. But at the beginning of the Torah portion, there is also much joy!

B’Ha’alotcha means raising up (the menora) to light the light. Moshe is like that light. Chapter 9 of Numbers begins so hopefully and positively. In some of the most dramatic trope I’ve read, the wandering Israelites “make the Pesach” festival. I imagine, since they took their flocks with them, they had meat offerings, and a feast. Followed by a “complaint” or question, by a few that who were tamei (ritually impure) because someone near them had died, or they were traveling and could not partake in the festival, and could not draw near to G8d with an offering as the other Israelites could. Unlike the complainers or the insurrectionists to come, these folks only wish to draw close to Sinai. Moshe treats them with absolute respect, taking their question right to the Holy One of Blessing, and getting the very first amendment to the Torah – they could participate in a Pesach sheni – a second chance to offer the sacrifices. !

Sources here Rashi interprets this questioning like a star student asking a great question, and says this is akin to prophecy!

Happy, indeed, is a human being (lit., one born of woman) who may so confidently rely that at any time when he wishes to do so he may speak with the Shechinah! — This section, in fact, ought to have been said by Moses, just as all the other sections of the Torah, only that these men were privileged that it should be promulgated through their intervention, because “meritorious deeds are brought about by worthy men”

By the time we get to Chapter 11 of Numbers, the situation of the complainers is so difficult for Moshe, he asks G8d for help, or, if not, for death! In Moses’ frustration with leadership challenges, G8d answers him by using Moses as a candle to light the flames of others. 70 elders, Eldad and Medad become prophets, to taste what it’s like to be so inspired. -“speaking with the Shechinah” as the midrash and Talmud allude to above. When Joshua sees Eldad and Medad ecstatic and running around prophecy-making, he tries to protect his boss (Moses) but Moshe (Moses) say – “would that all the people were prophets” The prophecy that Eldad and Medad were telling was that Moshe would not lead them across the Jordan, rather Joshua would! Just as my fondest wish – to pave the way for my replacement(s) by inspiring others!

Also, for fun, some gender bending commentaries about Moses and G8d being nursing mothers, for Pride month. This first Rashi is about the Manna. Perhaps God is the nursing mother, and the rebellion of the people is like the toddlers (Israel is a fledgling nation) being weaned. About the taste and texture of Manna:

Our Rabbis (Sifrei Bamidbar 89) explained it as meaning “breasts’ (i. e. just as the suckling imbibes, so to speak, every possible flavor with the mother-milk. so the Israelites found all flavors in the manna;

And about Moses: He imagines himself as a nursing mother, and then rejects that image for himself – but first he, and all of us, get to imagine it. Sources here