Miriam’s Well

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Pronunciations

Miriam’s Well (MEE-ree-uhmz WEL) listen

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Definitions

  • n. The Biblical well that Miriam would use to heal the ill.

Example Sentences

  • "When Adam was banished from Eden, he sat in a river that flowed from the garden as part of his repentance. At Sinai, Jews were commanded to immerse themselves to be ready to meet with God. In yet other references, Miriam’s well served as a mikvah, and when Aaron was inducted into the priesthood, he immersed himself in the mikvah." (source)

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Languages of Origin

  • English

Who Uses This

  • Religious: Jews who are engaged in religious observance and have some Jewish education

Regions

  • North America

Dictionaries

  • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).

Notes

  • "The Bible tells of a mysterious well that would bring forth waters to sustain those in need. For 40 years, while the Israelites wandered through the desert after the Exodus, Miriam was guardian of the well. She used its miraculous waters to heal the sick and nourish the people. When Miriam was stricken with leprosy, Zipporah, Moses’ wife, healed her with water from the well. When Miriam died, the well disappeared; some say it remains at the bottom of the Sea of Galilee, others say it is still with us somewhere. Today, Miriam’s Well is used as a symbol of women’s healing and nurturing abilities; a woman’s tears, menstrual blood, and breast milk are links to the fluid of the well. Healing prayer groups, or havurot, sometimes take the name Miriam’s Well." (JPS)

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