blogs/rabbi-huberman

This is a special Shabbat on the Jewish calendar. Known as Shabbat Shira – the Shabbat of Song—it centers around a scene that follows the Israelites crossing the Sea of Reeds.

Moses leads the Israelites in a song that includes many of the quotes that have become mainstays in Jewish prayer. 

The event is also significant because it marks the first of 10 times that lyrics of an ancient Israelite song are included in the Bible.

As usual, the rabbis’ discussion about the crossing of the Sea revolves around men—Moses, Pharaoh and his ill-fated charioteers.

Yet, in the aftermath of Moses’ legendary song, something equally incredible occurs. Miriam, Moses’ sister, leads an all-night celebration of song, music and dance.

Notes the Torah: “Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her in dance and timbrels.” (Exodus 15:20)

So, within one chapter of the Torah, we are introduced to two forms of artistic expression that define Judaism to this day: Whether in times of joy or challenge, whether our tears are ones of happiness or pain, we continue to sing and dance.

And who introduces us to the idea that we can blend singing, dancing and playing musical instruments in praise of God? “Miriam and the Women.”

Throughout Jewish history there has been no lack of male cantors and composers tasked to uplift the Jewish spirit. But prior to the 20^th Century, can you name one woman?

It took the arrival of many like Debbie Friedman (1951-2011) and her 22 albums that Kol Isha – the voice of women—began to soar within Jewish liturgy. The Jewish landscape is now blessed with countless women’s voices.

A prohibition continues within some Jewish circles against a man listening to a non-related woman sing. Simply stated, it’s because it may distract a man from prayer or study.

That is a discussion for another day.

Where would we be today without women’s voices within contemporary Jewish music and beyond? Pink, Amy Winehouse, Laura Nyro, Carole King, Alanis Morissette, among the hundreds you already know.

My wife and I spent last Sunday watching the Grammy Awards. And it occurred to us that virtually all the winners across all categories were women.

It also occurred to us that while male performers tended to use music to primarily highlight their personal conquests, women used the platform to promote social justice.

They included Beyoncé, Chappell Roan, Doechhi, Serena Carpenter, alongside other nominees and presenters, such as Taylor Swift and Olivia Riviera.

To be clear, not all of these artists, nor their presentations, appeal to me. But what I do notice is the liberation of previously restrained and controlled voices.

Within a world that has recently become increasingly harsh and transactional, now more than ever, we require more creativity and less conformity.

We need more Kol Isha and other previously repressed voices.

Later in the Torah, God endorses the idea that the world is not just made up of business deals and economic opportunity. It is also rooted in human expression.

Notes the Torah: “Man does not live on bread alone.” (Deuteronomy 8:13)

I often wonder whether Judaism would have survived through the millennia without a deep respect for unbridled artistic expression primarily through song, comedy, music and dance.

Indeed, one of the most obscene realities of October 7, was that Hamas’ heinous attack descended upon a dance festival that was dedicated to peace.

Early in my years as a journalist, a major oil company asked me to write a story of the first woman in the company’s history to drive a huge truck.

I reluctantly agreed stating, “I look forward to the day when a woman driving a truck is not news.”

What the world needs now is fewer labels: Man, woman, transgender, young or old. Let us rather aspire to live in a world where labels become a thing of the past.

At Shabbat services tonight, we will pay tribute to Miriam through a song written by Debbie Friedman in her honor.

It will remind us that all voices deserve to be heard, never hidden or segregated.

For whether one possesses a voice like Streisand, Haza or Midler, there exists a song within each of us.

This week, along with Moses’ Song of the Sea, we especially honor Miriam and the Women. Given their all-night dance mentioned in this week’s Torah portion, throughout our history, we have never lost our ability to connect with each other—and to God—through song.

Even in these darkest of times, by recalling Miriam and the Women, on this special Shabbat we remember:

We Will Dance Again

Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman