Parshat Hukat - The Invisible Amongst Us

"Miriam died there and was buried there... the congregation had no water..." (Bamidbar 20:1-2)

The juxtaposition of two events next to each other in classical Biblical exegesis can oftentimes have deep significance. In this week's Parsha we are informed of two occurrences, one right after the other: the death of Miriam the Prophetess and the lack of water. The Gemara in Taanit 9a learns that in the merit of Miriam the people had water throughout their sojourning through the desert and upon her passing they lost that water.

Water in the environment of the desert is perhaps the most crucial ingredient to survival next to food and occasional shelter. A person will not survive very long in the harsh conditions of the desert without water. The Gemara explicitly teaches us that it was because of the righteousness and sanctity of Miriam that the nation of Israel merited to have such a precious resource wherever they journeyed. This is no small feat and attests to the greatness of Miriam.

However, of the three siblings; Moshe, Aharon and Miriam, she is probably the least acknowledged within both the narrative and our subsequent tradition. There is so much to be said for those who work behind the scenes, quietly and modestly doing their life saving work. There is also much to be said about recognizing and appreciating the contributions of those in the community. A balance must be maintained between recognition and the sanctity of anonymity. There is no answer to this question but how many thought about the gift of water that Miriam daily bestowed upon them? The text itself does not make even an allusion to her contribution until after her passing.

Let us strive to demonstrate our appreciation and acknowledge those who work tirelessly behind the scenes so that our personal lives and indeed our very society may function. There are so many "invisible" people in our midst: from toll booth collectors to hotel cleaning staff and so many other professions, too numerous to mention. May we learn the lesson of this Parsha, to express our gratitude to them once they have passed on but also not forget to do so while they are still living.