What were they speaking about? Rashi tells us that Moses had divorced his wife:
How did she [Miriam] know that Moses had separated from his wife? R. Nathan says: Miriam was beside Zipporah when Moses was told that Eldad and Medad [newly appointed prophets] were prophesying in the camp. When Zipporah heard this, she said, “Woe to their wives if they are required to prophesy, for they will separate from their wives just as my husband separated from me.”
From this, Miriam knew [about it] and told Aaron.11
In truth, however, it was only Moses who was required to separate from his wife in order to be constantly “on call,” ready to speak to G‑d at any moment. Other prophets remained married and led normal family lives.
This is after Moshe supposedly "divorced" his wife
ReplyDeleteו וַיֹּאמֶר, אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, אֲנִי חֹתֶנְךָ יִתְרוֹ, בָּא אֵלֶיךָ; וְאִשְׁתְּךָ--וּשְׁנֵי בָנֶיהָ, עִמָּהּ.
6 and he said unto Moses: 'I thy father-in-law Jethro am coming unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.'
Had he divorced her, she would no longer be his wife, and Yitro probably not his father in law. Maybe the get was invalid, or Moses took her back.
DeleteThe Torah tells us Moshe Rabeinu, a"h, married a Cushite woman.
ReplyDeleteRashi and others jump through hoops to "prove" it's Tziporah.
Meanwhile there's a midrash that Moshe was the king of Cush for 40 years and had a queen. Why doesn't anyone make that connection?
I believe the Ibn Ezra does
Delete