According to the legends, Miriam wasn't just Moses' sister; she was a pivotal figure in her own right. She was a prophetess, a leader, and, perhaps most importantly, she was the reason the Israelites had water in the desert. The Talmud (Taanit 9a) actually identifies three great leaders and benefactors of Israel, each providing a specific, essential gift: Moses brought them manna from heaven, Aaron brought them the protective cloud of glory, and Miriam brought them water.
The source of this desert water was no ordinary well. Legend tells of a miraculous well that travelled with the Israelites throughout their forty years of wandering. It was a gift, a blessing, a testament to Miriam's righteousness. But the moment Miriam died, the well vanished. Just like that. Poof!
And the impact was immediate. Suddenly, the land was parched. The people were thirsty. And they knew, deep down, that this wasn't just a coincidence. As Ginzberg retells it in Legends of the Jews, the disappearance of the well served as a stark reminder: it was only owing to the merits of the pious prophetess that they had been spared a lack of water during those long forty years.
Now, imagine the scene: Moses and Aaron, already grieving the loss of their sister, see a massive crowd approaching. According to Numbers 20:2-5, the people gathered together against Moses and Aaron. Understandably, they are distraught and desperate for water. But Moses, ever the keen observer, isn't convinced by their show of grief.
"What may all these multitudes desire?" he asks Aaron.
Aaron, perhaps trying to see the best in people, replies, "Are not the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob kind-hearted people and the descendants of kind-hearted people? They come to express their sympathy."
But Moses isn't buying it. "Thou are not able to distinguish between a well-ordered procession and this motley multitude," he retorts. "Were these people assembled in an orderly procession, they would move under the leadership of the rules of thousands and the rulers of hundreds, but behold, they move in disorderly troops. How then can their intentions be to console with us!"
Moses, in his wisdom, sees the chaos, the lack of structure. He understands that grief and desperation can easily turn into anger and blame. The seeds of discontent are already sown. This wasn't a peaceful gathering of mourners; it was a mob, and their thirst for water would soon turn into a thirst for answers... and someone to blame.
What does this ancient story tell us? Perhaps it is a reminder to appreciate the blessings in our lives while we have them. Maybe it's a lesson about the importance of recognizing true leadership and the dangers of succumbing to mob mentality. Or maybe, just maybe, it's a testament to the power of one righteous person, and the profound impact their absence can have on the world.