Baer Miriam - Miriam's Well

The place of Miriam's Well.

B"H

The closest student of the famous Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (1534 - 1572), Rabbi Chaim Vital, once told the following story::

One day, Rabbi Luria and me were traveling in a boat over the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). When we got to a certain spot at the southern part of the lake, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria pointed at the water and said that this would be the place where the "Baer Miriam - Miriam's Well" is hidden.

In the desert, Miriam's Well was providing the Israelites with water and when she died, the well disappeared with her. The legend says that Miriam is buried in Tiberias and until today, everyone can visit her grave. Many Jews see this as a proof: Miriam is buried in Tiberias and, thus the well cannot be too far away.

It is said that until today the water from the well has healing powers. But this doesn't mean that you should stick your head into the Kinneret and drink. Otherwise you may be surprised because the town of Tiberias is pumping its sewage into the lake. I was told that the sewage is being cleaned before reaching the lake but you never know.

The Haredi (on the left) is standing at the grave of the great 

Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Luria.

The Kabbalist is buried about 40km north of Tiberias; in Zfat (Safed). 

Photo: MIRIAM WOELKE.