Speaking Against Moses

It doesn't seem fair. Both Aaron and Miriam spoke disparagingly of Moses. Both failed to grasp the unique nature of their brother's prophecy; they thought Moses was their spiritual and prophetic equal. God was angry with both of them, but only Miriam was punished with leprosy.

"God displayed anger with them, and departed. When the cloud left the Tent, Miriam was leprous, white like snow. Aaron turned to Miriam, and saw she was leprous." (Num. 12:9-10)

Why was only Miriam punished with leprosy? Why was only Miriam publicly embarrassed with a visible affliction associated with the improper use of language? Why was only Miriam forced to stay outside the encampment for a whole week?

According to the Sages, Aaron did not get off scot-free. They understood the words, "God displayed anger against them ," to indicate that Aaron was also disciplined. His punishment, though, was less severe than Miriam's, since it was his older sister who instigated the verbal attack on Moses. (Miriam's leading role is highlighted by the fact that she is mentioned first — "Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses...")

What was Aaron's Punishment?

The exact nature of Aaron's punishment, however is a matter of dispute. Rabbi Akiva said that Aaron also suffered from leprosy. But, unlike Miriam who was punished for a full week, Aaron's affliction was transient. Rabbi Yehudah Ben-Betaira, on the other hand, said that Aaron was not punished physically; rather, he was chastised by God.

According to Rabbi Akiva, Aaron was physically punished like Miriam. There must have been some minor defect in Aaron's character that led to his insensitivity to Moses' prophetic stature, and this defect required the physical punishment of leprosy to correct it.

Rabbi Yehudah, on the hand, rejected the idea that Aaron was subject to such a deficiency. Unlike Miriam, Aaron's sin was a matter of misjudgment — an error of the intellect. Therefore, the appropriate punishment was a Divine rebuke. Actual physical correction was unnecessary.

Revealing What the Torah Hid?

Rabbi Yehudah rejected his colleague's opinion for another reason. Even if Rabbi Akiva was right and Aaron was in fact afflicted with leprosy, the Torah does not say so explicitly. If the Torah purposely chose to conceal Aaron's punishment, what right did Rabbi Akiva have to publicize it?

How could Rabbi Akiva not be attentive of this point? Rav Kook explained that for Rabbi Akiva, there was no difference between a hidden detail inferred from a verse, and a punishment explicitly stated. In Rabbi Akiva's great love for the Torah and his penetrating sensitivity to all its subtle hints and nuances, the implicit and the explicit were equal.

(adapted from Ein Eyah vol. IV, pp. 239-241, on Shabbat 97)

Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison