Kol Isha

Kol isha, the voice of a woman seems to frighten some. I cannot help but wonder how Miriam, the sister of Moses, would be treated today. Would she be forced to sit in the back of the bus as women are forced to do on some of the buses in Israel? Would she be beaten like some women have been for refusing to do so? Would she have been allowed to sing her song as she did after the crossing at the Sea of Reeds? The past parsha, Hukkat speaks of Israel being without water.

The Israelites arrived in a body at the wilderness of Zin on the first new moon, and the people stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died there and was buried there.

The community was without water, and they joined against Moses and Aaron.

From studying and learning, the order of verses is very important. Though still in the desert, the Israelites seemed to have had water until Miriam died. Water is so necessary for life. We need the water that quenches thirst and the waters of Hashamayim. Which water did the Israelites no longer have access to after Miriam's death?

The parsha states further that HaShem told Moses to speak to the rock in order to bring forth water. Moses, in his anger, struck the rock instead. By doing so, he would not enter the Promised Land. After 40 long years, he finally grew so angry at the murmurings of the Israelites, he didn't follow what HaShem had told him today. Perhaps the kol isha of Miriam is the one he heard all those other times when he asked HaShem to withhold His wrath.

The kol isha of Miriam is not the only one in our Torah. There are the women's voices of Sarah, Rebbecca, Leah, Rachel, Ruth, Deborah, and Hannah. Just as with Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, and Moses, each woman's voice has something to teach us. Hannah's prayers caught the eyes of the priests at the Temple. Her sincerity and spontaneity are to be an example to us. Her kol isha was heard!

A beautiful tradition is held at the beginning of Shabbat. This is sung in honor of women:

A Woman of Valor, who can find? She is more precious than corals.
Her husband places his trust in her and profits only thereby.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks out wool and flax and cheerfully does the work of her hands.

She is like the trading ships, bringing food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night to provide food for her household, and a fair share for her staff.
She considers a field and purchases it, and plants a vineyard with the fruit of her labors.
She invests herself with strength and makes her arms powerful.

She senses that her trade is profitable; her light does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and her palms hold the spindle.
She opens her hands to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She has no fear of the snow for her household, for all her household is dressed in fine clothing.

She makes her own bedspreads; her clothing is of fine linen and luxurious cloth.
Her husband is known at the gates, where he sits with the elders of the land.
She makes and sells linens; she supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is robed in strength and dignity, and she smiles at the future.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and a lesson of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks after the conduct of her household and never tastes the bread of laziness.
Her children rise up and make her happy; her husband praises her:
"Many women have excelled, but you excell them all!"

Grace is elusive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears God -- she shall be praised.
Give her credit for the fruit of her labors, and let her achievements praise her at the gates.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and a lesson of kindness is on her tongue. How can this be reconciled with basically telling a woman to sit in the back of the bus and keep her mouth shut?