THE POWERFUL THREE MOUTHS
Over the last three Parshiyot, Korach, Chukat and Balak we are introduced to Three Miraculous Mouths: The Mouth of the Earth, The Mouth of the Well and the Mouth of the Donkey. These Three Mouths were all created at the same time in world history:
Pirkei Avot 5:6
עֲשָׂרָה דְבָרִים נִבְרְאוּ בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת בֵּין הַשְּׁמָשׁוֹת, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן, פִּי הָאָרֶץ, וּפִי הַבְּאֵר, וּפִי הָאָתוֹן, וְהַקֶּשֶׁת, וְהַמָּן, וְהַמַּטֶּה, וְהַשָּׁמִיר, וְהַכְּתָב, וְהַמִּכְתָּב, וְהַלּוּחוֹת. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, אַף הַמַּזִּיקִין, וּקְבוּרָתוֹ שֶׁל משֶׁה, וְאֵילוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, אַף צְבָת בִּצְבָת עֲשׂוּיָה: Ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath at twilight, and these are they: [1] the mouth of the earth, [2] the mouth of the well, [3] the mouth of the donkey, [4] the rainbow, [5] the manna, [6] the staff [of Moses], [7] the shamir, [8] the letters, [9] the writing, [10] and the tablets. And some say: also the demons, the grave of Moses, and the ram of Abraham, our father. And some say: and also tongs, made with tongs.
The commentaries explore and explain why there were 10, why they were created during Friday night at twilight and why these 10; I recommend looking into these matters, it is most interesting.
I simply want to point out that the Torah refers to the three miracles in our Parshiyot as Mouths. I understand the Mouth of the Speaking Donkey, but why the Mouth of the earth and the Mouth of the Well of Miriam?
I once heard it explained that this is a great example of Hashem’s Middah Knegged Middah i.e. Measure for Measure in our world. Since Korach opened his mouth disrespectfully to Moshe, and by extension G-d, the earth opened up its mouth and swallowed Korach and his arrogant pride. Since Miriam courageously opened her mouth with respect to her father encouraging him to lead the way bringing more children and life into the world despite the challenges of Egyptian Slavery, a miraculous well opened its mouth for forty years in the desert to maintain the lives of Bnei Yisrael. Finally, since Balaam used his mouth for evil and to satisfy his animalistic desires, Hashem miraculously opened the mouth of his donkey to rebuke him for his evil ways.
Our mouths are what distinguish us from animals. While animals may communicate, they cannot speak. Hashem breathed life into original man, and Adam is called a Speaking Creature (by Onkelos). Our mouths can be the source of such joy and goodness, or conversely they can serve as conduits of evil and destruction.
As we enter the Three Weeks of Tragedy on the Jewish calendar, let’s make certain that we use our mouths and speech for the good it has been created for. Through, prayer, study, words of kindness, compassion and constructiveness let’s dedicate our mouths for greatness. In the merit of our efforts, may Hashem open His mouth (so to speak) and usher forward the Messianic Era and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash-Amen.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Epstein
