Opening the Door for Miriam the Prophet
A famous Midrash says that when the pharaoh condemned Jewish babies to die it was 7-year-old Miriam who told her parents not to lose hope.
It was Miriam who watched over her brother Moses in the bulrushes until he was safe. Years later, after crossing the Red Sea, it was Miriam who led the Hebrew women with timbral and song, acts recognized as signs of prophetic power.
We are told that Miriam visits every home where a woman's Seder is being held. We open the door to welcome her. Eagerly we await her arrival. As we think of Miriam, we admire her unusual strength, and give honor to the leaders of our community.
As we open the door this evening, we are also mindful of this Seder as a place of hospitality and friendliness, where no woman is shut out. This is a place for all women to live with dignity and pride.
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