Bais HaVaad on the Parsha, Parshas Beha’alos’cha

Miriam Memories

June 20, 2024

Excerpted and adapted from a shiur by Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald

The cloud had departed from atop the Tent, and behold, Miriam was afflicted with tzara’as, like snow. Aharon turned to Miriam and behold, she was afflicted with tzara’as.

Bemidbar 12:10

The Ramban writes that the Torah’s command (Dvarim 24:9) to remember what Hashem did to Miriam is counted among the 613 mitzvos. He explains, as do Rabeinu Bechayei and the Magein Avraham, that the purpose of the mitzvah is to ensure that one does not come to speak lashon hara. The Ra’avad, Chizukuni, and Rashbam agree that remembering the story of Miriam is counted, but they maintain that its purpose is to remind us of the severity of tzara’as, and the mitzvah does not relate to lashon hara.

The Aruch Hashulchan asks: If remembering the story is a mitzvah, why don’t people observe it? He answers that it doesn’t apply today, because there is no tzara’as. But many Acharonim, including the Arizal, Ba’er Heiteiv, and Shulchan Aruch Harav, hold it does apply today. Their approach can be explained in three ways: First, although tzara’as isn’t seen today, it is possible that it can still occur. Second, tzara’as may be experienced in the neshamah even if it does not afflict the body. Third, they may understand the mitzvah like those who link it to avoiding lashon hara and not to tzara’as.

When should the mitzvah be performed? According to the Minchas Chinuch and Chafetz Chaim, every time a person is tempted to speak lashon hara. The Sefer Chareidim says once a day, and the Machatzis Hashekel says once a year. Interestingly, the Arizal and Shelah hold that one can fulfill it by intending to do so in Ahavah Rabah while saying “lehodos lecha uleyachedcha be’ahavah,” which  implies that our mouths are to be used to praise Hashem and not to speak lashon hara.[1] But the Igros Moshe counters that one must mention Miriam to fulfill the mitzvah.

[1]This suggestion may answer the Aruch Hashulchan’s question.