From Bitterness to Song: Miriam’s Lesson in Inner Strength for Every Woman

Song expresses deep feelings of joy and gratitude. It lifts and brightens the soul and inspires hope.

Even before the miracle of the sea splitting, Miriam the Prophetess took a drum in her hand and encouraged all the women to take drums as well: “And all the women went out after her with drums and dances.” She told them, “I am certain a miracle will happen. Something tremendous is about to take place — an event so great that it will require a song even from us, the women.”

Miriam the Prophetess — A Source of Strength for All Women

Miriam is a figure who profoundly moves me. She strengthens and encourages women to trust in Hashem in every situation. Every woman can find herself influenced by her special character.

It was because of Miriam that the Jewish women continued to bear children in Egypt. When her father, Amram, separated from his wife Yocheved due to Pharaoh’s decrees, the entire nation followed and separated from their wives. They said: If Amram, the leader of the generation, separates from his wife because of the decree — we should do the same.

Miriam saw this and went to her father, saying: “Father, you are worse than Pharaoh! He decreed only against the males, but you have decreed against both males and females!”

Immediately, Amram returned to Yocheved — and all of Israel followed. Without Miriam, no children would have been born.

Miriam’s Encouragement and Her Role as a Midwife

Miriam encouraged the women to give birth. She was with them during labor as a midwife, soothing their newborns. She gave them strength and joy and encouraged them with the words: This bitterness, this confinement, this suffering — will end. And through you, redemption will come.

When the Israelites left Egypt and stood before the Red Sea — with the Egyptians behind them, ready to kill them, and the sea before them, Miriam brought out her drum again, and the women followed her.

Her unwavering faith that a miracle would occur — that the sea would split, filled the women with joy and hope. Her spiritual power was so strong that she radiated an aura of faith, joy, and hope.
She demonstrated that it is possible to move from bitterness to song.

Why Miriam Sang “The Horse and Its Rider”

Miriam answered the women in her song: “Sing to Hashem… the horse and its rider He cast into the sea.” Why mention the horse before the rider?

Miriam explained: Just as the horse carries the rider, you, the women, carried the nation to redemption. Without you, the Exodus would not have been possible. You hold the power to direct, uplift, and influence the “rider.” Therefore, she placed “horse” before “rider” — highlighting the woman’s unique power.

A woman has the special ability to guide her husband, to inspire him toward greater levels of joy, faith in Hashem, spiritual growth, and even prophecy.

In their tremendous joy and gratitude to Hashem — for recognizing their own power, the women went out singing, with drums and dancing.

Your Power as a Woman: Turning Bitterness into Song

Your spiritual power as a woman is the power to transform reality —
from bitterness to song.

Take your “drum” in your hand and step forward in song and dance.
Move from bitterness to a new song, a healing song. Through joy, your faith and hope will grow stronger, and without a doubt — everything will turn for the good.

When you begin to sing and rejoice, your sea will split, and your miracle will come.