This week’s parsha is Beshalach, and the Shabbat we read this parsha is known as “Shabbat Shira,” or the Shabbat of Song. (As you may have realized, my name is Shira, and this is Shabbat Shira! “Shabbat of Song” referring to Shirat HaYam, the Song at the Sea during Kriyat Yam Suf, the splitting of the Sea of Reeds or the Red Sea. I studied music in college, and continue to be a fan / maker of music… you get it)
I totally tend to speak in extremes, but (for many reasons besides the fact that this is Shabbat Shira and I happen to be Shira too) this actually is my #1 favorite parsha to learn about. If you woke me up at 4 AM and said, “Give a dvar Torah right now,” I would go to this.
After 10 wild and crazy plagues, B’nei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) are finally free to leave Mitzrayim (Egypt), but as we have come to expect, G-d hardens Pharaoh’s heart once more, and he changes his mind. Just as they feel finally free, B’nei Yisrael find themselves trapped between the Sea of Reeds, Yam Suf, and Pharaoh and his approaching army. When B’nei Yisrael sees their predicament, they are rightfully frightened. Moshe (Moses) tries to comfort them, saying they should have no fear — G-d will deliver you. But then G-d comes back with, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell B’nei Yisrael to go forward. And then hold your staff out so that B’nei Yisrael may march onto dry ground”
Do you catch that order? “Tell B’nei Yisrael to go forward and THEN you can split the sea.” G-d had said many times that B’nei Yisrael will be delivered, that Egypt will be dealt with harshly, and so G-d expects a little bit of faith from them. We know how the rest of the story goes, the sea splits and B’nei Yisrael is free. Don’t you just want to shake them and say, “Goodness! Just wade into the water!!”
My mom always says that if you’re having a hard time deciding on something, it’s because you don’t have enough information. B’nei Yisrael just saw 10 miraculous, harsh plagues that left them unscathed. But they have also just experienced 210 years of slavery in Egypt. When do the miracles become enough to restore faith? And are we expected to make such a huge leap of faith when we’ve been suffering for so long?
We learn in the Talmud and Midrash that one person did have the faith to jump in the water first — Nachshon. Nachshon’s emunah, his belief and faith in G-d encouraged the rest of B’nei Yisrael to also make the leap. Then the sea split. We learn though, that the sea didn’t split until the water had reached Nachshon’s nose / eyes. What incredible faith… To hold out until the last possible second, and still remain steadfast. This reminds me of the story of Akeidat Yitzchak, the Binding of Isaac in Sefer Bereshit, the Book of Genesis. Avraham (Abraham) wasn’t some cold-blooded, heartless person who was willing to kill his son. He was a person who knew the power of context. Why would G-d have him kill his son who he waited and prayed and longed for for so many years? Why would G-d promise Avraham generations as numerous as stars in the sky?
So back to this story — why would G-d send the 10 plagues, finally free B’nei Yisrael, get them THIS FAR only to have them be destroyed? It makes no sense that this would have been the end of B’nei Yisrael. But do we think rationally when faced with a terrifying situation? Not really!
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"When You Believe" - London Cast of Prince of Egypt https://youtu.be/wTWbZAqRJDc?t=15
opening theme: reCreation by airtone (c) copyright 2019 Licensed
