Making Waves

Off-Broadway Musical Review
Except for a quick mention in the “Ten Commandments” and the “Prince of Egypt,” Broadway never saw anything like this. Off with Broadway! Showbiz is on the opposite side of the world from this true- life climax of the Exodus, playing continuously in Jewish hearts and prayers over the centuries.

After eluding their Egyptian pursuers by crossing the Red Sea during the Exodus, Moses and all of Israel broke out in a joyous chorus and lively tempo.

Israel’s elaborate and moving cantata is followed by two staccato verses: “Miriam the Prophetess took the tambourine in her hand, and the women followed her with tambourines and cymbals. Miriam said to them: Sing to G-d...” (Exodus 15)

But why highlight Miriam’s one-line stanza that just repeats Moses? Why single her out from all of Israel singing in unison?

Crescendo
Miriam (denoting “bitter” in Hebrew) was born in the bitter times when Pharaoh’s decree to drown Hebrew boys in the Nile pressured Miriam’s parents to divorce.

While everyone else was “singing the blues,” little Miriam marched to her own tune, with a hopeful prophecy: “My mother will have a son who will save Israel!” Miriam inspired her parents to remarry, Moses was born, and her father kissed her, exclaiming: “My daughter! Your prophecy has come true!”

But when the worsening danger placed baby Moses’ basket in the river, Miriam faced the music. Her father tapped her on the head, demanding agitato; “My daughter! Where’s your prophecy?”
Miriam faithfully “watched from afar to know” the fulfillment of the Divine promise.

Miriam’s brief but intense expression later at the sea validated the initial song in her heart. All the Israelites sang after the fact, but Miriam’s faith had helped direct and orchestrate the miracle. Rather than trailing off into diminuendo, Miriam’s unique contribution enriched Israel’s song to a rousing crescendo.

Grand Finale
Miriam’s vocals are enhanced by instrument accompaniment. But from where? The Israelites had just emerged from bondage and slavery, so how did tambourines of gaiety and celebration suddenly appear?

The righteous women had a song in their heart. Even when all seemed lost in the harrowing exile, the women designed and created their tambourines with vision and faith. Well prepared for this auspicious moment, Miriam’s buoyant solo performance hit the high seas. She and her tambourine got rave reviews, inspiring us to this day.

Top 10!
Scripture records ten songs. The first nine were: “Exodus Night Song” (Isaiah 30), “Song at the Sea” (Exodus 15), “Song at the Well” (Numbers 21), “Torah Song” (Deut. 32), “Joshua’s Song” (Joshua 10), “Deborah’s Song” (Judges 5), “David’s Song” (II Samuel 22), “Dedication Song” (Psalms 30), and Solomon’s “Song of Songs,” - the tenth will be the ultimate Redemption’s “Shir Chadash.”
Stay Tuned!