[Avodah] Sometimes Chutzpah is Necessary - & Evil Decrees by a Tzaddik

[Meir Rabi]

May I summarise and hope to clarify:

The Medrash explains that Miryam was so named since she was MoFiah Panim.

The Matnos Kehuna explains this to mean Chutzpah. Chutzpah may indeed be a
relative value but Chazal are describing her behaviour as Chutzpah.

The reading of the Medrash indicates that it is a badge of honour.

Is it not reasonable to propose that Chazal wish to convey the importance of
sometimes needing to step over the boundaries of diplomacy in order to get a
message across?

There is a similar sharp rebuke that Chana directs at the Cohen Gadol, Eli,
when he mistakenly accuses her of being intoxicated. Again this is a
perspective that even a close reading of the text would not disclose.

 

On another point: the same Medrash reports that Miryam said to her father
Amrom, the Rosh Sanhedrin, that he is a tzaddik and as a such his decree
will certainly be fulfilled. Can anyone shed some light on this? What is the
power of a tzaddik that ensures his mistaken evil decree will be successful?

meir

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