Sunday Reads: Miriam
Posted: November 15, 2020 | Author: Minkoff Minx | Filed under: just because |7 Comments
Miriam the Prophetess by Anselm Feuerbach
This thread that starts here:
Tucked away into the Midrash from nearly 2,000 years ago is the story of Miriam. The rabbis teach that on the night the Israelite slaves were gathering their belongings to flee Egypt, Miriam the Prophetess slipped into her satchel a timbrel and a tof—a small hand drum. 1/
— Rabbi Michael Adam Latz #BlackLivesMatter (@RavMABAY) November 14, 2020
See below…
Why on earth would she do such a thing? They had no food, no time to let the bread rise, and Pharaoh had a rather erratic habit of changing his mind, first letting them go, then deciding they would remain in slavery. What if he changed his mind again? 2/
— Rabbi Michael Adam Latz #BlackLivesMatter (@RavMABAY) November 14, 2020
The Midrash teaches that when the Israelites finally crossed the sea and reached the shores of liberation, it was Miriam and the women around her who took her timbrel and her tof and began dancing and singing in celebration; they rejoiced in their freedom. 4/
— Rabbi Michael Adam Latz #BlackLivesMatter (@RavMABAY) November 14, 2020
But Miriam understood something holy, something essential of the human psyche: We cannot move forward without celebration. We humans need song and dance and celebration after we’ve left the places that have assaulted our dignity and brutalized our humanity. 6/
— Rabbi Michael Adam Latz #BlackLivesMatter (@RavMABAY) November 14, 2020
We defeated a tyrant, an authoritarian, not with bullets or with bayonettes but with our ballots.
We showed the world that not all battles must be fought with a sword.
For one brief moment, tonight, we touch the sky with tears of joy.
8/END#ShabbatShalom
— Rabbi Michael Adam Latz #BlackLivesMatter (@RavMABAY) November 14, 2020
Let us celebrate this moment, it is a long time coming.
peej
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Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
I have a horrible migraine, so my celebration will be put off, but this thread was so beautiful it deserves to be highlighted on its own. Love and blessings to all.
I hope you feel better soon, JJ. It’s a good day to curl up and take it easy.
I once participated in a corporate “survival” strategy game (all safely within a meeting room) – and learned that choosing an article of comfort as part of the survival gear was extremely important to a successful outcome. In that case it was comfort food on a rafting trip that goes haywire. It aided survivors with feelings of despair.
We still have a long way to go, I’m afraid.
Comfort is so important these days. Food, clothes, books, movies, music, my cat. Cozy and safe, that’s what I want.
Lovely post, JJ. Thank you and take care.
Lovely painting of Miriam!
Activities (and companion animals) which give us comfort and respite — yes, we need these.
Very powerful. I wish Dr. Scott Atlas would sign right up and get to work.
Hope your migraine let’s up soon, JJ.