Chukas 20:2 · unit 1 — the well was in Miriam’s merit

Parashas Chukas · Passuk 20:2

The Complete Passuk

וְלֹא־הָ֥יָה מַ֖יִם לָעֵדָ֑ה וַיִּקָּ֣הֲל֔וּ עַל־מֹשֶׁ֖ה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹֽן׃

And there was no water for the congregation, and they assembled against Moshe and against Aharon.

Chabad.org — 20:2

Source Citation

Torah Temimah: Taanis 9a

Sefaria — Taanis 9a

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי יְהוּדָה, בְּאֵר נִתַּן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בִּזְכוּת מִרְיָם, מֵתָה מִרְיָם נִסְתַּלֵּק הַבְּאֵר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַתָּמָת שָׁם מִרְיָם וְלֹא הָיָה מַיִם לָעֵדָה.

English: It was taught: R. Yose b. R. Yehudah said, a well was given to Yisrael in the merit of Miriam; when Miriam died the well departed, as it is said “and Miriam died there” and “there was no water for the congregation.”

Type of Learning

Juxtaposition of Miriam’s death and the lack of water.

What Is Learned

The traveling well of the wilderness was in Miriam’s merit and ceased at her death.