Parshat Behalotecha; Numbers 8:1-12:16, By Rabbi Denise Eger

This week’s parasha concludes with Moses’ prayer for healing of his sister Miriam’s skin affliction. Miriam, also a leader of the Israelites, a prophetess in her own right, is stricken with white scales on her skin. Seemingly this illness is punishment because Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses saying, “He married a Cushite woman!” Some rabbinic scholars believe Moses took an additional wife who was either Ethiopian or Sudanese—and thus dark skinned. Other rabbinic scholars such as the great Ibn Ezra believe that Miriam was referring to Zipporah the Middianite woman he had married previously.

Whether it is a second wife or the only wife, clearly Miriam and Aaron’s reference to the dark-skinned woman who is Moses’ wife is said in such a way as to question Moses’ judgment. It is as if they are asking, “How could he marry someone like that?” Clearly we readers are to infer from their comments that he has married beneath his station. And yes, the ugly voice of racism is heard here.

But this is a pretext to question his prophetic leadership qualities. Together Miriam and brother Aaron want also their share of the leadership pie! They say “Has God spoken only through Moses? Has God not spoken through us as well?” (Numb 12:2). Miriam and Aaron want also to be recognized, acknowledged and perhaps given additional responsibilities. But God addresses the three of them directly in the Tent of Meeting and puts a direct end to their complaining by answering in no uncertain terms. God reminds them that Moses is not just a prophet who meets God in a vision. But Moses is beloved, a “trusted member of My Household. With him I speak mouth to mouth.” (12:7-8). Miriam and Aaron get the message that indeed Moses is above them and has God’s complete confidence.

Just as God withdraws from the Tent of Meeting, Miriam is stricken with this ailment. Her slander of Moses and his wife brings to her a physical trauma for all to see.

Moses, even though his siblings have wronged him, prays for her health and healing. “ El Na Rafah Na La”—Heal her please, Moses asks of God. And after a week she is healed. God wants Miriam to experience the stigma of shame based on her skin color that she vocalized in the unkind words about Moses’ wife. It is a difficult and painful lesson.

In our own day and time, we are not yet free of the sin of racism. Many people still use horrible stereotypes to degrade and dehumanize people who look differently than we do. The Torah recognized that the color of our skin doesn’t matter—rather the quality of our actions matter. This is what Miriam and Aaron have to learn as well.

Perhaps we can learn it as well.

Posted by Lee at June 12, 2006 09:42 AM