MidrashA rabbinic method of interpreting text, often through the telling of stories. teaches: “The Jews were redeemed from Egypt on account of the righteous women of that generation.” Who were these righteous women? They are the women of the past, the present, and the future.
Some are named. They live in legend.
Some are unnamed. They live in the dew of their mitzvotLit. Commandment. It is traditionally held that there are 613 mitzvot (plural) in Judaism, both postive commandments (mandating actions) and negative commandments (prohibiting actions). Mitzvah has also become colloquially assumed to mean the idea of a “good deed.".
Some are named. They are the women in your family.
Some are unnamed. They are the women yet to be born.
Some are named. We can name ourselves.
Through our kiddushThe prayer recited over wine on Shabbat, holidays, and other joyous occasions. we imbibe the joy of bringing God’s TorahThe Five Books of Moses, and the foundation of all of Jewish life and lore. The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and study of the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah itself a scroll that is hand lettered on parchment, elaborately dressed and decorated, and stored in a decorative ark. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. Sometimes "Torah" is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general. to the world. We can be part of the Divine flow, which encompasses the tears of joy and the tears of pain. We can transform our tears into hesedLit. Kindness It is said in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) that the world stands on three things: Torah (learning), Avodah (worship), and Gemilut Hasidim (acts of kindness)., lovingkindness, as we transform our kiddush wine to holiness. The named and unnamed; all in the image of God.
We lift the cup of wine and say:
Zot Kos Nikvu b’shemotehen ayle Shelo b’shemotehen Nikvu Kos MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance. Chayim Chazak, Chazak, V’Nitchazek.
This is the Cup of the Named and Unnamed Jewish Women of the Past, The Cup of Living Waters, Strength, Strength, and may we be strengthened.
