And the children of Yisrael, the whole congregation, came to the wilderness of Tzin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there.
English: It was taught: R. Ami said, why was the death of Miriam juxtaposed to the section of the red heifer? To teach you: just as the red heifer atones, so the death of the righteous atones.
Type of Learning
Juxtaposition (semichus).
What Is Learned
The death of tzaddikim effects atonement, parallel to the purifying power of the para adumah.