30 Jun 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.