Chukat: Between Magical Wells and Breakfast Waffles

Oftentimes, we take for granted things that go well. Electrical appliances, cars, even our own bodies; when they do what they're supposed to and don't cause trouble or pain, we don't really notice them. Ideally, we'd like to be more grateful, but the reality is that we most often only notice something when it STOPS working. Only when there's a power outage do we really notice how much we take for granted throughout our homes. And so it is with so many things, and people, all around us; we forget to express our appreciation for the essential role they play in our lives.

That is why I would like to dedicate my blog post this week to an unsung hero in our Torah portion, and an unsung hero right here at Ohev Shalom. Our parashah, Chukat, tells of the deaths of both Miriam and Aaron, Moses' two siblings. And even though we mention Miriam from time to time, we really don't give her the credit she deserves. We tend to mostly remember her watching over her baby brother when his basket drifted down the Nile, and then we may recall her dancing with timbrels after the Israelites crossed the Sea of Reeds (watch/listen to Debbie Friedman's fabulous retelling of this story here, or click on the picture below). 
Other than that, some people perhaps know that she gossiped about Moses and was punished for it, but were there no other contributions to the Jewish people?? This week, all of ONE verse is dedicated to letting us know that she died. However, it is immediately followed by a story of the people complaining of thirst, and so the rabbis of the Talmud imagined that the two stories were linked. In their creative minds, God fashioned a miraculous well that followed the Israelites throughout their time in the desert, and it was Miriam who oversaw the well. So once she died, no more well. 

It sounds like a somewhat fantastical (and not-entirely-believable) story, but I think there's an important lesson to be learned, from both this and the other stories of Miriam's life. Dr. Shira Epstein wrote a great Torah commentary on Miriam, in which she expounded on the 

contributions of Miriam. She talked about the Israelites' complaining about the lack of 'grain or figs or vines or pomegranates' (chapter 20, verse 4), indicating that Miriam's well also irrigated their crops. She also wrote the lack of creativity or independent thinking displayed by the people in not replacing their sudden lack of water. Dr. Epstein then writes, "Miriam added a dimension of creative thinking and artistic, active, joyous participation within the Exodus narrative." The story of her dancing and singing by the Sea shows her love of artistic expression, something these former slaves probably knew little of, and sorely needed. All of a sudden, they realized (and we do too) that Miriam had provided them with water, crop irrigation, creativity, and the joys of music and dance. So many things that they had taken for granted, that had all seemed ever-present and obvious... until they disappeared. I wonder if any of the Israelites ever thanked Miriam while she was alive.

Here at Ohev Shalom, little happens in our facility without our maintenance supervisor, Steve Smith. Steve is sometimes our own magical well; making the facility and all its events and programs run smoothly, often with little notice or fanfare. Luckily, many people DO stop and acknowledge Steve, and this weekend (Saturday, June 15th) two congregants have generously decided to sponsor a Kiddush 

luncheon in his honor. Please join us, if you're around. The reality is, many of us make this mistake. We forget to say 'thank you' in the moment, either because it just slips or mind or because we think it's implied. But not all our leaders stand up on stages or in front of TV cameras. Many of them work behind the scenes to make our lives a bit easier or better, and they deserve just as much credit. This weekend we are honoring Steve, and deservedly so. There are also others we could recognize - here in our community or in each of our own lives - who don't always get recognized when they should. So don't wait for the next thunder storm; say something today!

P.S. Thanks for everything, Steve!!!

Photos in this blog post:

1. Video courtesy of rememberingdebbie on Youtube

2. CC image courtesy of Kecko on Flickr

3. CC image courtesy of Uberto on Flickr