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The well of Miriam, from which the Jewish People drank in the Sinai desert, dried up when she died and then returned in the merit of Moses. When the Israelites camped and wanted water, they would stand on the side of the stream bed and sing a song to that higher spiritual well, i.e. malchut and thus the water would flow.

The Sages note that it was the "Mixed Multitude" of non-Jews that accompanied the Jews in their exodus from Egypt who instigated the idolatry of the Golden Calf. The Arizal explains that they were indeed meant to be elevated eventually, since they contained sparks of holiness, but Moses tried to do this prematurely.

G-d dispatched serpents against the people because of their having criticized Him and venomous snakes because of their having criticized Moses. After the people repented, G-d told Moses to make a "seraph" for himself and put it on a pole, etc. Moses however, did not make a seraph; he rather made a snake, for he considered restoring G-d's honor as more important than restoring his own.

To grasp the meaning of G-d's supernal greatness and loftiness, one needs to serve Him with utter devotion and a fiery burning love and enthusiasm. Yet, should one achieve this, it is crucial to understand that it is not your own accomplishments that brought you this far, but simply a chesed from G-d, who is always prepared to help one who desires to elevate and purify himself.

Death is the antithesis of holiness, for G d is the source of life and vitality. When confronted with the reality of death, we become exposed to the the truth that everything is decaying, dying, headed toward oblivion, and life seems futile and meaningless. The individual must undergo a purification process to cure his depression (real or potential) and reorient him back toward the enthusiasm and vitality of holiness.

Once again the Jews rebel against G-d and Moses and G-d sent a punishment. The people begged Moses to pray on their behalf, which Moses promptly did. Although they had risen up also against Moses himself, he prayed for their sake and wished them well. He achieved the highest level of forgiveness.