RAV KOOK ON Ki Tetze Part 4: Remembering Miriam's Punishment

“Remember what God did to Miriam on your way out of Egypt.” (Deut. 24:9) Six Zechirot Six times the Torah commands us to remember certain events. The six zechirot (rememberances) are listed after the morning prayers: The Exodus from Egypt. The Torah’s revelation at Sinai. The attack of Amalek and the command to destroy him. The rebellious acts of the Israelites in the desert. The Sabbath day. Miriam’s punishment for slandering Moses. The first five are clearly important for us to remember, as they are major events or fundamental principles of faith. Yet the last one, Miriam’s punishment for slandering Moses, doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the list. Can we consider Miriam’s mistake in judgment on par with historical milestones such as the Exodus from Egypt or the revelation of Torah? In order to appreciate the fundamental lesson of Miriam’s punishment, we must understand the essence of her error.