This handout accompanies “Miriam, Amalek, Memory, and Mouths.” Text version of this PDF handout is provided as alternative to graphic-heavy presentation.
Miriam, Amalek, Memory, and Mouths
notes from Virginia Spatz (songeveryday at gmail). Shabbat Ki Teitzei 5781. Temple Micah
Page 1 of 13-page PDF
“Acquire the memory of what it means to be a Jew” — New Reform Siddur (2002 draft)
“If you hear that same sweet song again, will you know why?” — 20th Century song lyric
Two verses from this week’s portion are part of the “Six Remembrances” (sometimes Ten)
Deut 24:9 and Deut 25:17-19
Page 2 of 13-page PDF
Intentions accompanying the Six (or Ten) Remembrances vary across tradition and prayerbook:
Six Torah episodes are to be remembered each day, to refine our direction. — Mishkan T’filah (21st Century US)
Some say the following [six Torah verses] after morning prayers. — Siddur Ashkenaz (11th Century France)
According to some authorities it is a mitzvah to recite these six verses of remembrance every day. Those who do so are assured of a share in the World-to-Come. — Siddur Sefard (18th Century Chassidic)
For the sake of the unification of the Holy One and the Divine Presence in our World,
I hereby fulfill the mitzvah of Ten Remembrances that everyone must remember every day. — V.Spatz + crowd-sourcing translation
Hebrew text at Sefaria for Siddur Edot HaMizrach (Saadia Gaon, c900 CE, Egypt/Palestine)
Page 3 of 13-page PDF
Remember with Your Mouth: an old concept in Jewish thought
This chapter of Sifra (c. 250-350 CE) explores the verse (Lev 26:3), “If in My statutes you walk, and you keep My mitzvot to do them.” Why two verbs? They must have different meanings. “You walk” — תֵּלכוּ — in the first phrase cannot mean “doing mitzvot,” which is stated in the second phrase. So, “If in My statutes you walk” should be read: “If you toil in Torah.”
Sifra to Bechukotai (Hebrew is found on Sefaria in Midrash for Deut 24:9. PDF highlights “remember” and “heart-forgetfulness” or “observance in the heart” in the passages below):
Similarly, it is written: “Remember the day of Sabbath to sanctify it” (Exod 20:8). I might think, (“remember”) in your heart.
But in “Observe [the Sabbath day to keep it holy]” (Deut 5:12) observance in the heart is already stated. How, then, am I to understand “Remember”? That you repeat it with your mouth.
Similarly: “Remember, do not forget, your having angered YHVH in the desert” (Deut 9:7).I might think (“remember”) in your heart. But in “do not forget,” heart-forgetfulness is already stated. How, then, am I to understand “Remember”? That you repeat it with your mouth.
Similarly: “Remember what YHVH your G-d did to Miriam” (Deut 24:9). I might think “remember” in your heart. But in “Be heedful of the plague-spot of leprosy to heed it exceedingly and to do” (Deut 24:8), heart-forgetfulness is already stated. How, then, am I to understand “Remember”? That you repeat it with your mouth.
Similarly, “Remember what Amalek did to you” (Deut 25:17). I might think, (“remember”) in your heart. But in “Do not forget” (Deut 25:19), heart-forgetfulness is already stated. How, then, am I to understand “Remember”? That you repeat it with your mouth.
— Sefaria community translation
[Blurb text emphasizes the heart-forgetfulness idea]
Heart-forgetfulness (שכחת הלב — shakhachat halev) is already stated. How, then, am I to understand “Remember”? That you repeat it with your mouth. — Sifra (c.300 CE, Talmudic scholars)
Page 4 of 13-page PDF
“Heart-forgetfulness” — or “amnesia of the heart” (as the on-line dictionary at Sefaria has it) — has poetic and ethical possibilities….
…even if the phrase likely had a more cognitive, and less emotional, resonance in the original context
Perhaps, this concept can remind us, in this lead up to the Days of Awe, to notice ways in which our hearts might be experiencing amnesia, as in conveniently forgetting things and people we should be caring about and to consider teshuva [return, repentance].
How do “remember” and “repeat it with your mouth” relate to teshuva efforts?
What must be heart-noticed? What spoken aloud?
What does Judaism, and the Reform movement in particular, want us to remember, through the siddur?
And how do memories we build influence our understanding of what it means to be a Jew? a human?
How do our Jewish communal memories influence inclusion and equity?
Page 5 of 13-page PDF
[Top of page includes a boxed note:]
Musing on memory: Here, I use z”l [of blessed memory] for those with whom I shared a room (or auditorium or theater) at least once in life.
[Lefthand side lists the six remembrances as they commonly appear, with a line or two of English and Hebrew:]
1) The Exodus (Deut 16:3)
2) Revelation at Mount Sinai (Deut 4:9-10)
3) The Attack of Amalek (Deut 25:17-19)
4) The Sin of the Golden Calf (Deut 9:7)
5) What Happened to Miriam (Deut. 24:9)
6) The Sabbath (Exod 20:8)
[Boxed note reads:] **See also “Aseret Zechirot [Ten Remembrances]”
Footnote:
R’ Neil Gillman, z”l (1933-2017), remarks on juxtaposition, in the additional readings, of the Six Remembrances and Maimonides’ Thirteen Principles. This highlights a tension, he says, between faith and event, belief and memory, two different ways of defining Jewish identity. — Traces of God (Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights, 2006, p.48)
[Righthand side shows English translation of the above verses from the Koren Sacks Siddur.]
Footnote:
These acts of remembrance define three positive and three negative parameters of Jewish faith and life. Positively, the Exodus reminds us of Divine redemption, Sinai of revelation, and the Sabbath of creation. Negatively the Golden Calf reminds us of our sins against God; Miriam’s fate reminds us of sins against our fellows, especially through evil speech. Amalek’s attack on the Israelite showed how a failure to fear God leads to cruelty against human beings. — R’ Jonathan Sacks, z”l (1948-2020)
Page 6 of 13-page PDF
Ten Remembrances, Aseret Zechirot (Compared with Six) plus Six Torah Episodes of Mishkan T’filah
“Ten Remembrances” appear in Siddur Edot HaMizrach (Saadia Gaon c900 CE) and newer sources. Six share themes and/or verses with the Six Remembrances. Four bring in additional “remember” verses: one from Micah, one from Psalms, and two more from Deuteronomy. [This presentation differs from PDF columns but contains same info]
Ten Remembrances with a note as to if/how they differ from the “Six Remembrances.”
1) The Exodus — Exodus 13:3 “…with a might hand…” Also #1 in the Six Remembrances, but verse cited (Deut 16:3) differs;
2) Shabbat. Same as #6 in the Six Remembrances;
3) Revelation at Sinai. Same as #2 in the Six Remembrances;
4) Strength to succeed — Deut 8:18 — Remember that it is YHVH your God who gives you the power to get wealth…Not in the Six;
5) Tried God, especially the Golden Calf. Same verse; focus in Six (#4) is narrower;
6) Manna — Deut 8:2 — Remember the long way that YHVH your God has made you travel in the wilderness these past forty years… Not in the Six;
7) What God did to Miriam. Same as #5 in the Six Remembrances;
8) Amalek. Same as #3 in the Six Remembrances;
9) Balak and Bilam — Micah 6:5 — Remember what Balak did…; Not in the Six.
10) Jerusalem — Psalms 137:5 — If I forget you…Not in the Six
Six Torah episodes in Mishkan T’filah
Y’tziat Mitzrayim: Recall the Exodus from Egypt — depart from whatever enslaves.
Amalak: Recall who attacked from behind — be on guard against evil.
Maamad Har Sinai: Recall standing at Sinai — make Torah a part of your life.
Maaseh Eigael HaZahav: Recall the Golden Calf — keep material desires in check and be wary of heresy
Korach: Recall Korach’s rebellion — prevent ego from misleading and destroying your way
Shabbat: Recall the first gift, Shabbat — welcome Shabbat holiness each week.
BACK to Page 10Boxed comment with arrows
Arrows point to Deut 24:9 in the Six and Ten Remembrances and to the spot where Korach has replaced Miriam in the Mishkan T’filah list. Note reads: Where’s Miriam? Object? Absent? How does her (re-)placement affect memory?
Another comment box reads: Mishkan T’filah’s list is “Episodes” without verses for prooftext or teaching. Why might that be? Are we ever commanded to remember Korach?
Finally, a footnote reads:
In Siddur Edot HaMizrach, the Ten Remembrances are accompanied by moral teachings/meditations. Mishkan T’filah’s presentation, while less extensive, follows this model. Six Remembrances, in contrast, are comprised only of the Torah verses, (although some siddurs add commentary). No source I found, beyond Mishkan T’filah, omits Miriam; none includes Korach. More generally, neither the Six nor the Ten Remembrances varies in content at all, from source to source.
Page 7 of 13-page PDF
[This page uses text boxes to share appearances of Miriam in the Torah.]
Top text: Miriam appears in four incidents, named three times and once as “his sister,” in the Torah. She is mentioned twice more. Her name appears a total of 12 times.
Box #1, top center: “And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.” – Exod 15:20. And: “And Miriam sang to them.” — Exod 15:21.
Box #2 reads: “And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses…” Num 12:1. Comment box adds: This episode continues through Num 12:16, and Miriam’s name is mentioned six more times within this tale.
Box #3, centered in the middle of the page, reads: “…and Miriam died there, and was buried there… And there was no water…” – Num 20:1-2
Box #4 reads: “And his sister stood far off to know what would be done with him.” – Exod 2:4. Comment box adds: Unnamed appearance of Miriam.
Also on the page, Deut 24:9, “Remember what God did to Miriam,” and Num 26:59: “..she [Yocheved] bore unto Amram: Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.”
Page 8 of 13-page PDF
“And Miriam sang for them”
“All I know, she sang a little while and then flew on
If you hear that same sweet song again, will you know why?”
Miriam’s Song
And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we’ve exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long. –
from “Miriam’s Song,” in 1988 Ma’yan Haggadah
by Debbie Friedman, z”l (1951-2011)
Miriam HaN’viah
Text of the song, “Miriam HaN’viah,” which consists of additional verses for “Eliahu HaNavi.” The verses, by R’ Leila Gal Berner were borrowed from Ritual Well and easiest to find there (I hope)
https://ritualwell.org/ritual/miriam-ha-nviah-1
“Bird Song” (for Janis)
All I know is something like a bird within her sang (note 1)
All I know she sang a little while and then flew on
Tell me all that you know
I’ll show you
Snow and rain
If you hear that same sweet song again, will you know why?
Anyone who sings a tune so sweet is passing by
Lyrics can be found in full on Dead Net
— “Bird Song,” by Robert Hunter (1941-2019) & Jerry Garcia, z”l (1942-1995)
first performed Feb 19, 1971. “for Janis [Janis Joplin (1943-1970)]”
Page 9 of 13-page PDF
Brief Exploration in the Draft-to-Published Journey of Mishkan T’filah.
Six superscriptions are found in 2002 draft New Reform Siddur – three appear, in some form, in 2007 Mishkan T’filah. Three (per my best searches) seem to have disappeared in editing.
Setting aside any knowledge of what was actually published: which draft sentiments seem to you most likely to get the axe? (Answers appear at the end of this section.)
1) Acquire the memory of what it means to be a Jew
2) What do we hear when the morning stars sing together?
3) Teach me, O God, and I will walk in Thy truth; Let my heart cling to Thee in full awe
4) Seeking nourishment of spirit, sustenance of soul,
Let none go hungry for God’s love
5) Frontlets between the eyes mark wisdom;
Captivity is a place of no knowledge
6) All holy acts require summoning.
Page 10 of 13-page PDF
Pages 10 through 12 of the handout consist of scans of draft versions of Mishkan T’filah with some notes about what changed.
Six Torah episodes are to be remembered each day, to refine our direction
from 2002 draft: New Reform Siddur (CCAR)
Draft Six Torah episodes are identical to the text above on page six of this PDF.
Above the line on that page are Torah study passages in Hebrew and English: Pirkei Avot 1:14 (Hillel: If I am not for myself…); Pirkei Avot 4:1 (Ben Zoma: who is wise?); Micah 6:8 (…do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God); and Sanhedrin 37a (one human was created first to teach that if anyone destroys a life…)
Also shown: draft page with alef-bet and pronunciation guide, e.g: Mem — “M” as in “Melech”
Superscription reads: “Acquire the memory of what it means to be a Jew.” David Ellenson is credited at the bottom of the page, below the alef-bet.
Page 11 of 13-page PDF
Six Torah episodes are to be remembered each day, to refine our direction
from 2003 draft: Siddur for Reform Jewish Prayer (CCAR)
Draft Six Torah episodes are identical to previous draft and to the final publication (as noted above). Study passages are the same.
Superscription on alef-bet page is gone (and the pronunciation format has been reduced to the format: Mem=”m”). “Acquire the memory of what it means to be a Jew. David Ellenson” appears at the bottom of the page.
Page 12 of 13-page PDF
Six Torah episodes are to be remembered each day, to refine our direction (p.43 and p.205, below the line*) from Mishkan T’filah: A Reform Siddur (officially published NY: CCAR, 2007)
“Acquire memory…” line is gone, along with alef-bet page of 2002/2003
Page shows scan of pages 43 and 205 below the line where the Six Torah episodes appear, unchanged from 2002 and 2003 versions.
Boxed notes: Passage appears below alternative “…ham’lameid Torah l’amo Yisrael” readings (“We seekers of God…” and “From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth…”) on both p.43 and p.205.
Other superscriptions were moved or transformed, from draft to final, but David Ellenson’s “Acquire the memory of what it means to be a Jew,” along with the alef-bet page on which it appeared, seems to have been edited out of Mishkan T’filah entirely.
Torah study passages from 2002/2003 are gone and new ones added.
New passage from poet Adam Sol — “…No moment in a Jew’s life… is without its accompanying text…” — appears below the line, where the much shorter David Ellenson quote had been.
Page 13 of 13-page PDF
Three superscriptions did NOT make it to the published Mishkan T’filah:
1) Acquire the memory of what it means to be a Jew
4) Seeking nourishment of spirit, sustenance of soul,
Let none go hungry for God’s love
6) Frontlets between the eyes mark wisdom;
Captivity is a place of no knowledge
These did:
2) “What do we hear when the morning stars sing together?” became a fuller quotation from Job 38,
in which morning stars sang, is at the bottom of page 229
3) “Teach me, O God, and I will walk in Thy truth; Let my heart cling to Thee in full awe” appears (“Thee” and “Thy” replaced by “You” and “Your”) at the bottom of page 231
6) “All holy acts require summoning” appears below the line, weekday Barchu, morning & evening. In another passage, “All serious activity requires preparation,” appears with Barchu for Shabbat morning, some other points.
Final line: If anyone has questions or wants links to sources, please contact me: songeveryday at gmail
"A Song Every Day" 