Why does the Pasuk refer to Miriam as "Miriam ha'Nevi'ah"?
Rashi: Because she prophesied the birth of Moshe. 1
Rashbam: Because someone who rebukes or someone who sings the praises of Hashem is also called a prophet.
Refer to Shemos 2:2:1:1** and 2:4:1:3; and see below 15:20:2.1 .
Why is Miriam called "the sister of Aharon"?
Rashi #1: Because it was when she was the sister only of Aharon, before Moshe was born, that she prophesied. 1
Rashi #2: Her name is connected to that of Aharon, who was Moser Nefesh on her behalf when she was later stricken with Tzara'as. 2
Ramban #1: Since Moshe and Miriam are mentioned in the Shirah, but not Aharon, the Torah calls Miriam "Achos Aharon," in order to mention his name too.
Ramban #2 and Rashbam: It is the way of Tanach 3 to connect a person to his older brother (the Bechor - Rashbam). 4
Hadar Zekenim (to 15:19): It is normal to associate a woman with her older brother.
See Bamidbar 12:11.
Ramban: See for example, Divrei Hayamim I 2:42 . Refer also to Bereishis 28:9:3:2* .
Ramban: And it did so in a way that was a Kavod for him, in that he was Miriam's older brother. and that Miriam his sister was a prophetess, seeing as he too, was a Navi and a Kedosh Hashem.
What is the definition of "Tupim u'Mecholos"?
Rashi (in Eruvin 3b): 'Drums and dances.'
Targum Yonasan: 'Drums and flutes.' 1
See Na'ar Yonasan in Shemos 32:19.
Why did the women take musical instruments with them into the desert?
Rashi: The righteous women of that generation took musical instruments out of Egypt with them, in anticipation of the miracles that they were convinced Hashem would perform with them.
Tif'eres Yonasan and Ma'ayanah Shel Torah: So that the men should not hear them singing - due to the principle 'Kol b'Ishah Ervah.'
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Miriam ha'Nevi'ah' - When did she prophesy? When she was 'the sister of Aharon' - before Moshe was born. She said, 'My mother is destined to give birth to a son, who will be the redeemer of Yisrael." Why was this prophecy given to Miriam specifically, not to Aharon?
Maharal #1 (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 16, p. 75): Moshe and Aharon served together 1 as the redeemers of Yisrael; and a prophet does not prophecy regarding himself. The message had to come through someone else - Miriam.
Maharal #2 (ibid.): Prior to Moshe's birth, Aharon was not yet even three years old! 2 He was not yet at the age of recognizing his Creator. 3
Maharal (Netzach Yisrael Ch. 54, p. 201): Still, Moshe and Aharon each had his own task. Miriam, for her part, represented the yearning for the Redemption on the part of Bnei Yisrael. (She was not a 'redeemer' in the active sense; rather, her role was to bring Yisrael towards Emunah, in the merit of which the Redemption would come. (EK))
Aharon was older than Moshe by three years (Shemos 7:7).
But see Shemos 2:1:3.01:2* .
