What is the point of the Cup of Miriam?

Even though there are many important women in the Tanakh, such as Miriam, Sarah, and Deborah, traditionally women have often been treated as secondary to men in many Jewish traditions and ceremonies. The Cup of Miriam is meant to honor, remember, and include women by honoring and remembering one of the most important woman in Jewish history, the prophetess Miriam. Despite Miriam’s importance in the story of Pesach, she traditionally has not been very much present in the Passover Seder, so the Cup of Miriam is a way to include her story in the Seder.

Why is Miriam associated with water?

According to legend, Miriam’s Well gave the Israelites water in the desert. It followed them around from place to place for 40 years
Miriam’s death appears in the book of Bamidbar right before the water dries up at Meribah, leading the Rabbis to believe that her death caused the well to dry up. Legend says that the waters had healing and sustaining properties as well. When we first meet Miriam in the Book of Shemot when she is watching over her brother by the waters of the Nile. The name Miriam has also long been associated with water. מַר means bitter and ים means sea, so together the name Miriam can be taken as "bitter sea".

How did this tradition develop?

The idea to have a cup of water honoring Miriam began at a Rosh Chodesh group in Boston in 1989, when a feminist Jew named Stephanie Loo filled a cup with “Mayim Chayim” t("living waters") to represent Miriam for a guided meditation session.. The idea quickly spread around, and now many Seder Plates around the world feature a Cup of Miriam.

What do we say for the Cup of Miriam?

Since the Cup of Miriam is such a new tradition, there is no set prayer to say or song to sing when filling the cup.

Some will say, “זאת כוס מרים, כוס מים חיים. זכר ליציאת מצרים", meaning "This is the Cup of Miriam, a cup of living waters. In memory of the exodus from Egypt"

Others will sing “Miriam’s Song” by Debbie Friedman, or “Miriam HaNeviah” by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner.

Most importantly, however, is having the discussion about the significance of Miriam, her cup, and all women in Jewish history.
 

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haggadah Section: Hallel