Hilulah Day: Tamuz-16

Chur ben Miriam

Born: Egypt
Died: Sinai Desert, 2448 (1313 BCE).

Son of Miriam the Prophetess.

Chur was the son of Miriam the Prophetess, sister of Moshe Rabeinu and Aharon HaKohen. His father was Kalev (one of the 12 spies sent to Israel by Moses). His grandson was Betzalel, who was involved in the building of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle). Chur was murdered by the Erev Rav Jews, trying to stop them from building the "Golden Calf" (Egel HaZahav).

According to the Ari (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria), Chur was the reincarnation of Nachor (brother of Avraham Avinu), and from the root of soul of Nachor, who was a root of soul of Hevel (son of Adam). Chur's name in Hebrew: Chet Vav Reish is included Nachor's name: Nun Chet Vav Reish, another hint regarding his soul's origination. Chur's death, which involved trying to stop idol worship was some tikkun (correction) for idol worship sins committed by Adam, Hevel and Nachor. The Ari says that Aharon HaKohen, who was the reincarnation of Haran (another brother of Avraham Avinu) should have also sacrificed his life in order to stop the sin of the "Golden Calf" from taking place, since he also had to do a correction concerning idol worship from a previous lifetime. Mistakenly, he thought that Chur's death was enough. (Sha'ar HaGilgulim pp. 95 & 114)

May the merit of the tzaddik Chur ben Miriam protect us all, Amen.