Miriam, Moshe's sister, was born during a time of great bitterness: her name means "bitter sea." And yet, she is a beacon of faith and hope through the whole Exodus story.

The Israelite tribes wandered in the desert for 40 years. According to the Talmud, Adonai provided a miraculous well for the merit of Miriam (Taanit 9a) that followed them through their journey. When Miriam died, the people no longer had any water (Numbers 20:1-2). A new seder tradition from the 1980s is to honor Miriam with a cup of living waters, alongside Elijah's cup of wine.

Debbie Friedman (1951-2011) was an American singer-songwriter of many beloved Jewish songs and melodies. She composed new words to the traditional melody of "Eliyahu Ha-Navi," a beautiful tribute to Miriam the Prophet:

מִרְיָם הַנְּבִיאָה עֹז וְזִמְרָה בְּיָדָהּ
מִרְיָם תִּרְקֹד אִתָּנוּ לְהַגְדִּיל זִמְרַת עוֹלָם
מִרְיָם תִּרְקֹד אִתָּנוּ לְתַקֵּן אֶת-הָעוֹלָם

בִּמְהֵרָה בְיָמֵינוּ הִיא תְּבִיאֵנוּ
אֶל מֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה

Miryam ha-n'viah, oz v'zimrah b'yadah
Miryam tirkod itanu l'hagdil zimrat olam
Miryam tirkod itanu l'taken et ha-olam.

Bim'heirah v'yameinu hi t'vienu
El mei ha-y'shua, el mei ha-y'shua.

Miriam the prophet, strength and song in her hand.
Miriam, dance with us to increase the song of the world;
Miriam, dance with us to repair the world.

Soon, and within our days
May she bring us to the waters of redemption.


haggadah Section: Bareich
Source: Debbie Friedman