[Avodah] Miriam and Tzippora

[Eli Turkel]

First it is not clear that "Isha Kushit" was Tzippora - see Rashbam who assumes
it was an Ethopian woman from when Moshe was king there.

Second there is an interesting pshat from R. Chaim Soloveitchik that the sin
was not LH but rather one of the 13 principles of Rambam that MR was on a higher
level than other prophets.

Eli Turkel


<<Rashi (B'haalos'cha 12:1) quotes Rabi Nasan: "Miriam was at Tziporah's side
when they told Moshe, 'Eldad and Medad are having nevuah in the camp.' When
Tziporah heard, she said, 'Oy to their wives! If they get nevuah, they'll
separate from their wives, like my husband separated from me.' That's how
Miriam knew."
Was it Lashon Hara for Tziporah to say this to Miriam? It sure sounds like a
complaint to me.If it was not LH, why not? And if it was, then are there any
Chazals which take Tziporah to task for this?
>>

First of all, it obviously wasn't LH - as there is no mention of her being
punished - unlike Miriam.

Secondly, I see that the Shaarei Ahraon quotes "Eimek Hanetziv" saying that
Tzipporah was definitely not complaining about MR being away from her. Had
she been upset about it, MR would've divorced her to allow her to remarry.

The comment she made to Miriam about feeling sorry for the wives of Eldad
uMedad, was because she felt that not all women would agree to put up with
such a lifestyle.>>

-- 
Eli Turkel