Miriam’s Well, also known as Be’er Miriam in Hebrew, is a significant biblical symbol associated with the prophetess Miriam, sister of Moses (Moshe) and Aaron. According to the Torah and medrash, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, they were blessed with a miraculous well that provided them with water throughout their journey. Unlike the manna, which was from God alone, after Miriam’s death, this well dried up.
The story of Miriam’s Well is mentioned in the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar) 20:1-2, where it states that Miriam passed away and was buried in a place called Kadesh. Immediately after her death, the Israelites found themselves without a source of water. In response to their thirst, Moshe and Aaron prayed to God for guidance. God instructed Moses to speak to a rock, and water would miraculously flow from it. However, in a moment of frustration and anger, Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, a moment which is much discussed in any commentary, as it causes him to lose his merit to enter the Land of Israel. Nevertheless, water still gushed forth, sustaining the people and their livestock.
The association of Miriam with water is further emphasized in the Torah in Exodus (Shemot) 15:20-21, after the crossing of the Red Sea, and much earlier when she orchestrates her baby brother Moshe’s survival while left in the Nile to die by Pharaoh’s order. After they successfully crossed the Red Sea and the waters rushed back to destroy their pursuers, Miriam, described as a prophetess, took a timbrel (a percussion instrument) in her hand, and all the women followed her, dancing and singing songs of praise and gratitude to God for their liberation. The text states, “Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam called to them, ‘Sing to the Lord, for He is exalted above the arrogant, having hurled horse with its rider into the sea.'”
The association of Miriam with water and her role in leading the women in song and dance after the crossing of the Red Sea has led to the development of the Reform custom of including a Miriam’s cup on the Passover Seder table. The cup is filled with water, symbolizing Miriam’s well and her connection to the life-giving resource. Miriam is undeniably significant in the Exodus from Egypt and travels in the desert, but it is important to note that the practice—and mentions of Miriam or even Moshe— is not directly rooted in the Passover narrative. Likewise, it misunderstands the purpose of the Cup of Elijah (cos shel Eliyahu) which comes from his specific promise to check Jews at Passover to see their mitzvah observance, and that he will come to announce Moshiach. Neither action is related to Miriam, so the tradition of Miriam’s Cup is not universally practiced or recognized more religious Jewish communities.
Miriam’s association with water stems from her connection to the well that miraculously provided water to the Israelites during their desert wanderings and after crossing the Red Sea. The well that lasted nearly 40 years was entirely from her merit. It is likely the Jewish people did not realize how important she was when she was with them, and it is important for us to remember in this generation.
