PARASHAT Beshallach

This week's Torah Gems were prepared by

Jodi Hecht

PARASHAT Beshallach


This week in Parshat Beshallach we read that Pharaoh finally agrees to let the Jews out of Egypt. The Jews leave quickly and begin a path to an uncertain but hopefully better future in the Promised Land. However, Pharaoh's mind is changed and he sends his Egyptian army to pursue the Jews. Trapped by the oncoming Egyptian army and the powerful Red Sea, Moses raises his staff and Hashem miraculously the sea splits and the Jews cross safely. In an equally spectacular but now sobering act, Moses lowers his staff and Hashem allows the wall of water to come crashing down destroying the Egyptian army. Deeply grateful to Hashem, Moses and Miriam lead the men and women respectfully in a song of praise.



The Jews have much to praise and be thankful for in this Parshat. In one Chasidic online source Parshat Beshallach is considered Shabbat Shira or the "Song Sabbath". In this Parshat it says that Miriam takes a timbrel (or tambourine) and leads the women in song. There is good reason to be thankful as Hashem is certainly present and active in the lives of these Jews. I am struck however as to why Miriam brought a tambourine with her in the first place. One would have thought this would not be an essential item to bring on this perilous journey. The Parshat describes the Jews distress on the long and arduous voyage through the desert. Within three days they are thirsty and hungry and extremely disheartened. And yet in a succession of miracles, Hashem provides enough "fresh" water, meat and bread in the form of manna and instructs the Jews to rest on the seventh day. Even in the midst of the attacks by Amalek, Hashem protects the Jews.

Perhaps Miriam had some insight that praising Hashem for life itself was necessary. Perhaps Miriam knew that song and particularly voices raised together would lift the spirits of the wandering Jews. Both music and dance can transcend the physical discomforts.



This Shabbat may you take a moment to sing a thanks for your own Jewish lives.



Shabbat Shalom