Honoring the Unsung Among Us

 

Dear Reader,

While reading various blogs and reflections this morning, I came across a powerful article by Rabbi Adina Allen titled "Water Wells Within Rock." Rabbi Allen is the co-founder and creative director of the Jewish Studio Project.

She opens her piece with this stirring question:

“What do we do when fear and uncertainty press in and trust feels just beyond reach? How do we meet the difficulties of our lives with faith that something tender lives just beneath the surface?”

In the article, Rabbi Allen reflects on the biblical siblings Moses, Aaron, and Miriam — children of Amram and Jochebed — and particularly on Miriam’s often-overlooked role. While Moses led and Aaron served as high priest, Miriam, also called a prophetess, ministered to her people in quieter but vital ways: she taught them to sing in moments of joy, and according to tradition, provided water — sustaining them during their wilderness journey.

What struck me in reading both the article and passages from the book of Numbers is what happened after Miriam’s death. The people were suddenly without water. God instructed Moses to speak to a rock, and it would bring forth water for the people. But grieving and frustrated, Moses instead struck the rock. Still, the water flowed.

This moment teaches us something profound: even in the face of grief, fear, and uncertainty, God still provides. Miracles can still come, even when our faith wavers.

More importantly, the story of Miriam calls our attention to the unseen grace of those who sustain others — not through spectacle or speech, but through care, steadiness, and presence. These are the quiet heroes among us — often women, caregivers, teachers, companions — whose work goes uncelebrated but is essential to our survival and flourishing.

I invite you to reflect on these closing words from Rabbi Allen’s article:

“Do we sufficiently honor those whose contribution is quiet support of others? Do we still relegate such vital care to one specific group, or have we each undertaken to make ourselves not only disciples of Aaron, not only children of Moses, but also personifications of Miriam — using our hands and hearts, just as she did, to irrigate the lives of our people and of all people?”

May we all grow in our capacity to recognize and become such wells of compassion.

Wishing you a peaceful and meaningful day.