The eighth descent was when He descended into the Tabernacle, as it is said, "And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forth" (Num. 12:5). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them: Whosoever speaketh slander against his fellow in secret, hath no cure; if he slander his brother, the son of his father or the son of his mother, how much more so is this the case?
The Holy One, blessed be He, was angry with them, and He departed from the Tent, as it is said, "And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed" (Num. 12:9). || "And the cloud removed from over the Tent" (Num. 12:10). Forthwith Miriam became leprous. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: If Aaron also be leprous, the High Priest, who is afflicted with a blemish, will not be able to bring an offering upon My altar; but he shall look upon his sister and become astonished, as it is said, "And Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous" (ibid.).
Aaron went to Moses, and said to him: O our lord, Moses! Brethren do not suffer themselves to be separated one from the other except through death, as it is said, "Though he be fruitful among his brethren" (Hos. 13:15). Our sister, while still among the living, is separated from us, as it is said, "Let her not, I pray, be as one dead" (Num. 12:12). Not only this, but now all Israel will hear and say that the sister of Moses and Aaron is leprous.
Half of this infamous report concerns thee. Moses was appeased by the words, and he arose and prayed for her, and He was entreated of him, as it is said, "And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her, O God, I beseech thee" (Num. 12:13).