From TorahVort.com
Beshalach
At the end of last weeks reading, Pharaoh finally sent the Jews out of Egypt. The Jews were escorted out of Egypt and into the wilderness accompanied by the ‘clouds of glory’ and ‘pillars of fire.’ The clouds were brought about in honor of Aaron, in his merit, as he was the peacemaker amongst the Jews, always making peace between people in quarrels, he would greet everyman in the street he would see, in fact when individuals were tempted to sin, they would say to themselves how would we be able to look at Aaron tomorrow if we transgress, he would provide every individual with an increase in self esteem and make them feel good about themselves. In fact the gemorah says that one who smiles at another, is like giving the person a ‘cup of milk,’ as a nutritious smile can change anyone’s day from bad to brilliant! G-d led the Jews toward Eretz Yisrael on a circuitous route, taking three days, avoiding the Pelishtim (Philistines). As the Jews were journeying on, Pharaoh regretted letting the Jews leave, as they took with them a mass amount of Egyptian wealth and many converted Jews, know as the ‘Eiruv Rav.’ Pharaoh decided to now chase after the Jews to bring them back by force to Egypt; he ordered most of the Egyptian men and prepared 600 of the best chariots accompanied by horses and precious gold to go to battle against the Jews. In fact, Pharaoh, unlike many leaders went at the front and said ‘I will lead in battle,’ he was so eager to beat the Jews that he was willing to risk his life at battle, unlike most other kings that usually let everyone else to the dangerous work. As the Egyptians drew close, the Jews started worrying and complaining, they cried to Moshe ‘you took us out of Egypt to die!’ this was viewed by Hashem as a bad complaint. However as they drew closer, Moshe raised his hands in prayer and Hashem said enough! Your prayers are answered! However now you need to put some action in to it! Then enter a man of the name Nachshon Ben Aminidav, an individual from the tribe of Yehudah who had the guts to run in to the water, as the water touched his neck, the sea split. In reward for Nachshon’s heroism, he later on became the leader of the tribe of Yehudah, and kings descended from his tribe. We also learn a lesson from here, that prayer, sometimes may not be enough, Hashem also wants to see an individual put in some effort into tasks they do!! As the Egyptians witnessed this, while the sea was still split, they all ran in, however, the waters became destructive and tossed all the Egyptians around the sea as they experienced a most brutal death due to all the suffering they caused the Jews. After the miracle of the sea, another miracle occurred as all the Jews sang a song, ‘Az Yashir’ in praise of Hashem, a prayer we read every morning in the shacharit service. While singing this song, all the Jews, attained high level prophecy and some opinions say that all the dead were resurrected to sing the song, while everyone sang this song with immense joy!! It was a miracle in its own right, as 3 million + Jews sang the song, knowing all the words and seeing the future at exactly the same time! The Jews then spent the next three days by the sea, collecting all the remaining booty which the Egyptians brought in to the chariot, however they were criticized by the sages for doing this as they neglected Torah study for three days, in correcting this transgression, in modern era, we take out the torah to read at shacharit every Saturday, Monday and Thursday morning, so that we don’t neglect torah for three days!! As the Jews entered the wilderness, they started complaining for water, as they lacked it in an area of the name’Marah.’ Moshe, under Hashem’s instruction threw a bitter stick in to a river of ‘bitter water,’ and a miracle occurred, the water was sweet, which in turn provided the Jews with nourishing delicious water. After receiving water, the Jews were taught by Moshe, the laws on the Mishpatim (ordinances), Shabbat and ‘Red Cow.’ The people shortly after complained yet again, that they ate better food in Egypt. G-d then sent quail for meat and provided manna, miraculous bread that fell from the sky every day except Shabbat. On Friday a double portion descended to provide all Shabbat needs. The manna was also stored in a flask, which was placed later in the Mishkan and temple, when Jews complained that they had no time to learn torah, the prophet Yirmiyahu, brought out the flask, made the people smell the ‘manna,’ and the aroma made them learn! The Jews then again complained about a lack of water, Moshe miraculously then produced water from a rock by hitting it. However as a punishment for the complaints, Hashem brought Amalek (descending from Eisav’s son Eliphaz) to attack the Jews. Joshua led the Jews in battle while Moshe prayed for their welfare accompanied by Miriam’s son, Chur, and they won in battle. The Haftorah for this weeks reading is from chapter 4 of the book of Shoftim, featuring one of the ten prophetic songs featured in the Tanach, which was sang by the judge and prophetess, Devorah, in praise of the righteous, Yael, defeating the enemy, Sisra.
