IS THE KRIAH (PUBLIC READING) OF THIS PARSHA MIN HATORAH?
One opinion holds that reading this Parsha is an Torah obligation just like Parshas Zachor. Most opinions do not hold that this reading as an obligation from the Torah. T.T.: Rashi says that the entire law of Parah HaAdumah is to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf. It is possible that the public reading of this Parsha is a fulfillment of our obligation to remember the deed of the Golden Calf.
AND MIRIAM DIED AND THERE WAS NO WATER FOR THE CONGREGATION (20:3) – THE WELL THAT TRAVELLED WITH THE JEWS IN THE DESERT WAS DUE TO THE MERIT OF MIRIAM
In Bava Metziah, we find that due to the little water offered by Avrohom Avinu to the angels, he caused to merit the well in the desert for the Jews. Maharasha says Avrohom merited that the well would exist for a short time, and Miriam caused the well to exist for 40 years. T.T.: Avrohom merited that the Jewish people would have leaders like Moshe, Aharon and Miriam that would merit these miracles.
DEATH OF TZADIKIM ATONES JUST LIKE THE PARAH HAADUMAH (20:1)
T.T.: How does the death of a Tzadik bring about atonement? Possibly, it is similar to the concept expressed by the burial of King Shaul. The atonement of a Tzadik does not come from the actual death, but from people’s actions of mourning and the honoring of the Tzadik, which is really honoring G-d.