Two weeks ago, we read of Moses pleading with God in order to save the people that he had liberated. Yet, now we read of Moses cursing those very same people, referring to them as “rebels” because they had the audacity to complain about a lack of water. Why did Moses turn on his flock so quickly? Rabbi Jonathan Sacks provides us with a simple, yet, convincing answer. 

Immediately preceding the water shortage, Moses’ elder sister, Miriam, had died. In fact, the Talmud (Taanit 9a) explains that due to Miriam’s merit a well of water miraculously accompanied the Children of Israel throughout their travels up until her death.  Moses, for the first time since leading the people out of Egypt was confronted with a crisis without his trusted big sister at his side. After all, it was Miriam who had watched over him as he had floated down the Nile in a basket. Miriam ensured that Moses would be cared for by his birth mother, Yocheved,........

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