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Miriam: Speaking Truth to Power (Parashat Be’Ha’alotekha)

June 02, 2007 | By Rachel Biale

Media Type(s): Torah Commentary

Textual Source: Numbers

Torah Portion: Beha'alotcha

This resource is part of the Torah Queeries collection.

The author argues that this portion contains perhaps the most audacious challenge to male authority recorded in the Torah. The focus of this commentary is on Miriam’s and Aaron’s respective roles in challenging Moses’ prophetic authority and the disparity in the consequences for each of them. “Peace,” at home, in the community, and in the nation, can only come about when those in dominant roles are willing to diminish their power to accommodate justice.

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