“Twins of a gazelle” – Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin in the name of Rabbi Levi: Just as these twins, when one of them withdraws from the breast, the breast is blocked, so it is written: “I will eliminate the three shepherds in a single month” (Zechariah 11:8).82This is a reference to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. But is it not so that they died only within the same year?83They died in one year, but not in the same month.
Rather, in a single month, the decree was issued regarding the three of them. That is what is written: “The great ones of the people were gathered” (Psalms 47:10). Rabbi Yosei says: Three great providers arose for Israel, and these are: Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Through their merit, three great gifts were given to them: The well, the manna, and the clouds of glory.
The manna, through the merit of Moses; the well through the merit of Miriam; and through the merit of Aaron, the clouds of glory. Miriam died and the well ceased, and they said: “Not a place of seed, fig [and pomegranate, and there is no water to drink]” (Numbers 20:5). But it was restored due to the merit of Moses and Aaron. Aaron died, and the clouds of glory disappeared.
That is what is written: “The entire congregation saw [vayiru] that Aaron had perished” (Numbers 20:29). Do not read it as “they saw [vayiru],” but rather as “they feared” [vayire’u].”84They were afraid because the protection of the clouds of glory had disappeared. They were restored through the merit of Moses. Moses died and all three of them disappeared and they were not restored.
The hornet did not cross the Jordan with them85God promised to send hornets to assist in expelling the Canaanite nations (see Exodus 23:28). However, in the absence of Moses they did not cross the Jordan and assisted with Israel’s battles only east of the Jordan. and Israel did not experience peace of mind from that time forward. “That graze [haro’im] among the lilies” – Shmuel bar Naḥmani said: Miriam and Yokheved were the midwives of Israel, and they would provide for [ro’ot] Israel as their hearts were as soft as lilies.
Where was the pasture of Israel? It was in Egypt until the Red Sea.86It was there that Miriam and Yokheved tended to the needs of the birthing mothers and their offspring.