Have Questions or Comments?
Leave us some feedback and we'll reply back!

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Phone Number)

    In Reference to

    Your Message


    LESSONS FROM A ROCK

    It was the beginning of the fortieth year of
    Bnei Yisroel’s trek through the vast desert.
    This week’s parsha, Chukas, tells of the
    death of Miriam, older sister of Aaron and
    Moshe. “Bnei Yisroel arrived to the
    Wilderness of Tzin… and the people settled
    in Kadesh, Miriam died there…” (Bamidbar
    20:1) Kadesh, a name that alludes to the
    kedusha, the sanctity that personified
    Miriam.
    Already, as a young child, Miriam had a
    heart filled with faith and the belief in a
    better tomorrow. A belief so strong, that
    when her parents separated due to Pharoah’s
    evil decree to kill every newborn Jewish
    boy, she convinced them to remain together
    with renewed faith.
    It was Miriam who stood by the riverside
    watching over her baby brother Moshe. With
    much courage, she approached Basya,
    princess of Egypt, and suggested a nurse
    (Miriam’s own mother) for the baby.
    It was Miriam, aka Puah, the baby whisperer.
    Miriam/Puah stood alongside her mother,

    assisting her as a midwife. Defying Pharaoh’s
    decrees, she helped bring the blessing of
    new neshamos into the world.
    And, it was Miriam who never gave up on
    the dream of a miraculous redemption from
    Egypt. Even in midst of hardship, Miriam
    fashioned tambourines, giving women hope
    that one day they will be free and use their
    instruments to praise Hashem through song
    and music.
    As long as Miriam was alive, a wonderous
    rock, the Be’er Miriam, the Well of Miriam
    traveled with the nation. A stone that
    supplied them with sufficient water to satisfy
    all their needs, as well as that of their
    livestock. This miraculous stone gave forth
    water in the merit of Miriam who stood by
    the riverside waiting to see what would be
    with her baby brother.
    Immediately after telling us of Miriam’s
    death, we learn in the very next pasuk about
    the lack of water for the nation. There is no
    mention of public mourning or of people
    crying over the loss of a woman who had
    done so much for them.
    The Alshich teaches that Miriam’s death,
    immediately followed by the people’s lack

    of water, tells us that the nation
    didn’t mourn her properly. It was
    only when Bnei Yisroel used up
    their water supply did they realize
    the great loss.
    Appreciating a person’s goodness
    and the benefits we derive from
    them is not limited to our leaders
    and teachers. Even in our personal
    lives, how tragic it is that at times
    we don’t appreciate the good a
    person does for us during their
    lifetime, and sometimes not even after their
    death. How many of us live with regrets that
    we didn’t value more, respect more, do
    more, even say more. Missed opportunities
    to verbalize our thoughts, to say you mean so
    much to me… I can’t thank you enough… I
    love you.
    It was a thirsty, disgruntled people that came
    to Moshe. Imagine Moshe being surrounded
    by a mob screaming out water, water….
    “Why have you brought (us)… to die in this
    wilderness… Why did you have us ascend
    from Egypt to bring us to this evil place.”
    (Bamidbar 20:4-5)
    HaShem tells Moshe that he and Aaron
    should gather the nation around a large
    rock. To speak to the rock and refreshing
    water will spring forth. Another miracle to
    take place right before the eyes of the
    nation.
    Moshe and Aaron gathered the nation
    around the rock. Turning to the people,
    Moshe said, “Shimu na ha’morim, Listen
    now, you rebels…”
    Rebels. To call a name. We all have our
    moments. I know I have mine. We wish we
    could take back some of the words
    misspoken and some of the actions we do
    – at home, amongst friends, family,
    neighbors, or at work – during moments of
    stress and tension. But we can’t, and often
    it is us who suffer the consequences. How
    often do we say “What in the world was I
    thinking…. Why did I ever say or do
    that…” At times, we don’t even realize
    how painful our words are. Words that can
    be like sharp daggers coming forth from
    our mouth.
    While there may be times when
    admonishment or criticism is called for,
    there is a way to convey the message in a
    manner that is not hurtful. I remember my
    mother telling me that when she was a
    child, if ever there was a time that my zeide
    would want to correct her, to teach her a
    lesson, he would preface it with kind
    words. He would say “mein teiere kind, my
    dear child, ess past nisht, it doesn’t behoove
    you.” Nothing more needed to be said.

    We can’t compare ourselves to Moshe.
    Because Moshe was who he was, teacher of
    an entire nation, role model and mentor, he
    was judged on a totally different level than
    the average man. Ibn Ezra teaches that
    Moshe fell from his high level of spirituality
    by calling the people “you rebels”.
    Just saying the words “you rebels” can
    change one’s mindset. Even if you are
    Moshe. Instead of speaking to the rock, as
    HaShem commanded him, he hit the rock.
    For this, we are told that Moshe lost the
    privilege of bringing the nation into Eretz
    Yisroel.
    Rashi comments that Moshe lost an
    opportunity to make a Kiddush HaShem.
    Imagine if Moshe had actually spoken to the
    rock, resulting in water flowing from it.
    Enough water to quench the thirst of an
    entire nation. How amazing that would have
    been. Bnei Yisroel would have said to
    themselves, “A rock that doesn’t speak and
    doesn’t hear and doesn’t require sustenance,
    fulfills the word of HaShem, how much
    more so should we”. A lesson that was lost.
    Rav Reuven Leuchter writes about another
    important lesson we can learn from the rock.
    Who would think that a rock could possibly
    give forth water just by speaking to it. By
    witnessing that great miracle, the people
    would come to the understanding that
    HaShem could make the impossible,
    possible. We, too, have moments when we
    feel that we don’t have the physical or
    emotional strength to cope with the demands
    and challenges of life. We might be right.
    But we should know that HaShem is with us
    every step of the way, giving us the
    wherewithal to accomplish what He asks of
    us.
    Bnei Yisroel could have been witness to a
    great miracle and gain new understanding.
    To realize that everything is in the hands of
    HaShem. That with our deeds, our mitzvos,
    we can bring brachos upon ourselves, our
    families, our people. To come to the
    realization that if a rock which doesn’t have
    needs “listens” to HaShem, how much more
    should we, whose every need – health,
    happiness, sustenance, nachas – are
    constantly gifted us by HaShem.