Rabbi Hannah Estrin

For years, each Friday night following candle lighting, I have had the privilege and joy to bless my girls. These days, with Eliana (20) in the Air Force, Odelya (17) active in saving the planet, and me seemingly on the road a lot, I am even more grateful when I have the opportunity to give them my blessing in person.  This is particularly true when all four of us are able to gather together around the flickering light that promises some time together.

יְשִׂימֵךְ אֱלֹהיִם כְּרות דבורה וְמרים

Yishmech Elohim k’Rut, D’vora vMiryam.

May God make you like Ruth, Devora & Miriam.

It’s not the traditional blessing given to daughters based on Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah, but rather my own design both to distinguish me from their birth mother and to add additional values into our lives. I take from Ruth the concept of God in and of the world and value her trait of commitment. From Devorah the prophetess and Judge I pray we show wisdom and determination. And from Miriam the prophetess I hope we always dance and let joy shine through.

We are going to meet two of these three remarkable Biblical women, Miriam and Devora, during Shabbat B’shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) just after Tu B’Shvat and the  full moon. (We have to wait until Shavuot to meet Ruth.) Shabbat B’shalach is also called Shabbat Shira or “Shabbat of Songs,” since it contains both the “Song of the Sea,” sung by Miriam and the women as they crossed the Reed Sea, and the “Song of Devora,” our famous Biblical Judge and prophetess. Shabbat Shira has a special place in my heart as it was during that week I converted to Judaism and several years later it would be the first time I read Torah and then Haftorah.

Mostly, I just love these women. They are strong, independent thinkers, and inspirations of leaders with integrity. They are bringers of joy and song. Miriam in particular imparts a message that I see in our lives on a regular basis and I strive to imbue into my life through the middah (trait) of humility. 

Alan Morinis, author of the fantastic Mussar book Everyday Holiness, utilizes the phrase ‘No more than my space, no less than my place” to explain the ideal implementation of the middah of humility. This mantra reminds us that we must find a balance between meekness and conceit. We must stand back to allow others space but be ready to step forward to fulfill our place. Is Miriam not the perfect example of balancing this middah? She steps up just when needed, but is clearly active in the background.

In Parashat B’shalach, we don’t hear about Miriam until after the crossing of the Reed Sea. She was there, you can be sure, at Moshe’s side, supporting and encouraging the people through this fearful and difficult time. But this was the time for Moshe to bring the people out of slavery and through the sea.  Then, Torah tells us “Miriam the prophetess took the timbrel (tambourine) in her hand, and all the women followed her with timbrels and dance” (Exodus 15:20). When the time was right, Miriam stepped forward and led the people, through example, in her own unique way, in joy and movement. Together they found their voices, power, and unity after facing the difficulties of Egypt and the exodus. Their challenges were definitely  not over. They still had 40 years of wandering in the desert before arriving “back home.” Miriam understood though that this was a moment which needed joy and release as the people began their return to their “regular life” of freedom. , She remains in the picture providing life-giving water and no doubt spiritual sustenance during those years.

Once again this year, it seems to me that Miriam’s message comes at the perfect time. After months of Covid-19 dangers, restrictions and fears a vaccine has arrived. But it will likely be several more months before herd immunity is gained and life begins to return to normalcy (note I say normalcy because I believe we are entering a renewal. There is no ‘returning’ to the normal that was). In Israel, where the virus is called HaKarona (The Carona),  I have heard numbers as high as 20% of the population have already received their first shot and the expectation is that there will be herd immunity by the end of March. In San Diego, where I just left this past week, my parents, in their 70s, still have no idea when they will be able to receive theirs. Herd Immunity is likely months away. We are still wandering in the wilderness but have reason to rejoice as we begin the path to a renewed normalcy.

Concurrently we have just about reached inauguration day in the United States (my birthday in case you were wondering) closing out an election period of strife, pain and fear. And in Israel, we are headed to our fourth election in two years with much the same feelings of anger, loss and frustration. It doesn’t matter who we vote for or why, both government systems are designed for balance. Our job is to raise our voices and stand as “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” regardless of party, race, or religion. As Rabbi Richard Camras said this past month, “May we each be God’s light for our country.”

Both of these roads are long (please God, not 40 years long) and are bound to strain our ability to keep going. On those particularly hard days we can look to the leadership, message, and life giving waters of the Prophetess Miriam and hopefully draw strength and courage. For now, let us pull out our tambourines, dance and raise our voices in joy as we pursue days of health, justice, and peace. On Shabbat let us bask in the light of tradition and quietness and the joys of those who surround us even if by zoom. Let us remember the blessings of family, friends and community and give blessings to all those we love.

Wishing you a month of light and song.

Blessings come in all forms. If you would like to try blessing your children with the traditional version in Judaism here is your basic how to:

1. When: Traditionally this blessing is given Friday night after Kiddush, though in my home we do it after candle lighting.
2. Where: You can have your children come to you, or you can go to them. You can bless them together or individually. Place your hands on your child(ren).
3. What: The words of the blessing are taken from the priestly blessing (Numbers 6:24-26)

For girls, the introductory line is:

יְשִׂימֵךְ אֱלֹהיִם כְּשָׂרָה רִבְקָה רָחֵל וְלֵאָה

Yesimech Elohim k’Sarah Rivka Rachel v’Leah

May you be like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.