Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Beshalach / Are we ready for redemption?

By Sivan Rahav-Meir/Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Posted on 01/14/22

Are we eagerly looking forward to tomorrow, anticipating the redemption and the universal kindness it will bring, or are we solely preoccupied with worst case future scenarios?  When the highly emotional and joyful moment arrived after the splitting of the Red Sea and the Song of the Sea was sung, it is told that Miriam the prophetess immediately pulled out a tambourine:

"Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women came out after her with tambourines and with dances."

Wait a minute. From where did Miriam’s tambourine suddenly appear? It is clear that Miriam did not have to rummage around in her suitcase looking for it. It was already with her, right by her side, because she had been expecting this moment for years. She had also educated the women of her generation that redemption could come suddenly, at any time, and they must be ready for it. We can learn a lot from that generation of unswervingly faithful and optimistic women.

Miriam's readiness for redemption reminds me of words from an enchanting song by Aaron Razel: “Did you make a place in your heart for the goodness that you will yet discover? Are you ready for the kindness that today will bring?”. Miriam teaches us to live with joyful expectation, to make a place in our hearts for the kindness and goodness sure to come.