Miriam (Ceramics by Amy Wilson)

Miknaf Ha’aretz is delighted to be collaborating with Jewish ceramicist Amy Wilson on a Miriam’s Cup series for Passover 5786. Amy has created an exquisite collection of pottery designs inspired by the story of Miriam the prophetess, to be used in your Passover Seder.

For us, Miriam is the revolutionary heart of the Pesach story. It is Miriam who encourages her parents to continue to bear children, even under the conditions of oppression, in order that they might also birth the redemption that will free them. It is Miriam who ensures her little brother Moses is safe after her and her mother Jocheved place him in a basket on the river Nile. It is Miriam who leads the women in song and dance when they arrive safely on the shores of the Red Sea, after having told them to pack their timbrels and instruments ready to celebrate their sure liberation. It is Miriam who ensures the Israelites always have enough to drink when they are wandering in the wilderness, through a miraculous well that followed Miriam around. It is Miriam who is struck down by illness and needs to isolate for 7 days in the wilderness, in which time the whole camp waits for her, not continuing until she is able to join them. 

Miriam is exactly the revolutionary prophetess we need to call on right now and we are so grateful to Amy for the possibility of honouring her at our Seders.

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In the last few years, Jewish feminists have begun a tradition of including a cup for Miriam at the Seder table, in honour of this well that followed Miriam in the desert, and the way Miriam quenched the literal and spiritual thirst of the people in this time and her own role as a powerful prophetess who has so much to teach us about spiritual and political struggle for the times we live in today. 

“If it wasn’t for the righteousness of women of that generation we would not have been redeemed from Egypt” (Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 9b)

Zot Kos Miryam, kos mayim chayim. Zeicher l'itzi-at Mitztrayim.

This is the Cup of Miriam, the cup of living waters. Let us remember the Exodus from Egypt. 

Blessed are You, Source of Life, who blesses us with the capacity to imagine beyond the narrow places, emboldens us to resist and speak truth, and guides us to dance our way, together, towards a liberated future. (English blessing adapted from a version by Kohenet Dori Midnight)

You can learn more about Miriam’s cup here.

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A note from Amy

My name Is Amit Miriam, after my great aunt Meydi, on my birth certificate at least. I asked to be called Miriam when I was ten, but I have always been called Amy.  When Sara asked me about making a Miriam’s cup last year, I realised I’d never really thought deeply about Miriam, my namesake. I searched out her stories. And fell in love. These objects are in praise of Miriam and all the life she kept flowing through great upheaval and transition. I was also very inspired by the podcast by Jericho Vincent ‘Survival Guide for a Spiritual Wilderness’ which delves into the mystical and political teachings of Miriam.

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We will send instructions for anyone ordering any of these items for use at your Seder. Please note, these items are hand-made and each one is unique with their own subtle variations. The Miriam figurine and water carrier can be used for water or candles as shown in the photos.

This price reflects the time and materials needed to produce these unique pieces of art, that we hope will be used over a lifetime (and generations to come!) 

Currently only shipping to the UK. If you are interested in purchasing a seder plate but living outside the UK, please contact hello@miknafhaaretz.co.uk