After the dramatic rescue of the Children of Israel at Sea of Reeds, Moses leads the first in the first recorded praise, or “shirah,” of God (Exodus Chapter 15:1-19).
But after this shirah, the Torah informs us a second shirah led by Miriam:
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her in dance with timbrels. And Miriam chanted for them: Sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously; Horse and driver He has hurled into the sea. (Exodus Chapter 15 20-21)
These two short verses raise three key questions:
- Why does Miriam need her own shirah?
- Why is Miriam referred to as a prophet in this verse when she does not seem to be giving a prophecy?
- Lastly, why is she referred to as only Aaron’s sister and there is no mention of Moses?
