Why does Miriam call to us? How did this woman, this prophetess survive the centuries when so many others were rendered nameless? So many other stories have been lost. Hers has not only survived, but also flourished and captured the hearts of women throughout time.
I think the answer to this question goes back to the beginning. Miriam is our best example of perfect balance. She is the perfect balance of light and dark, of obedience and rebellion, of tradition and trailblazing – of Chava and Lilith. Since the beginning of our being as a people women have struggled with this balance. Most find the place where they are comfortable within the circumstances of their life, time, and customs – but never achieve balance. Miriam’s star was so bright because she had the perfect balance. Sometimes the Chava energy was stronger, and this is when we see her obedient and passive. Sometimes the Lilith energy was stronger, and this is where we see her rebellious and fierce.
For nearly a year now, I’ve been engaged in a Journey, as my group Becoming calls it, getting to know Lilith. Why did I choose her? I didn’t. She called me, and I was compelled to undertake this process. As I started to explore her world, her myth, her energy I also felt drawn to Miriam and wondered why. I explored Miriam a bit more and began to see the connection. I started to read midrashim of other women, and saw the same connections there too. In the end, each of the women was either the line of Chava or the line of Lilith. Most had a little both, but it was evident which line ran the strongest. Each story taught me a little more about each and showed me that the goal is to balance Chava and Lilith within me. Chava and Lilith are part of the same in eternal motion and change.
Woman with a tambourine, inside of me she screams
Waiting for the day I know enough
Waiting for the day that I’ve grown up
In Miriam we see what we can be when we are able to bring the two into harmony.
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