Beshalach: Miriam’s Word

443px-Miriam,_the_golden_HaggadahImagine what happens the moment after Miriam and the women finish their dance. Elated and exhausted from celebration, her people having crossed the sea into safety by the power of G-d’s hand, what would a prophet do? Teach, of course. This new meditation is a contemporary midrash that imagines what Miriam tells the women of Israel when their dance ends. This piece appears in This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings from CCAR Press.

“Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women came out after her with timbrels and with dances.” – Exodus 15:20

Miriam’s Word
Listen sisters,
Always dance
In the direction of holiness.
Always sing
In the direction of heaven.

Our dance is a prayer,
Our song an offering
Of joy and love.

And you will feel
The glory of G-d’s presence
Pass through you.
You will feel
The breath of life
Surround you.
Together, we will become a hymn,
Praise that resounds throughout the earth,
Throughout the ages.
Women will dance this dance,
Sing this song,
Pray this prayer.

Come, Sisters,
Summon your joy,
Summon your voice,
Summon your heart,
Summon the generations
To this song,
To this dance.

All praise to G-d Most High,
Who leads us through moments
Of sorrow and pain,
Of hope and comfort,
Of celebration and victory,
Triumph and exultation.

Dance, sisters.
Dance.

© 2019 CCAR Press from This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings

Postscript: Here are two prayers for Jewish leadership: “Cornerstone” and “Messengers among Us.” Here are links to related prayers: “Dance Hallelujah,” which I posted for Beshalach 5773, as well as “Sing Hallelujah,” “For the Gift of Song,” “For the Gift of Dance” and “For the Gift of Music.” Please take a look at my book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

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Photo Source: Miriam, Golden Haggadah; WikiMedia Commons

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