January 18, 2008

Parshat Hashavua: B'Shalah Exodus 13:17-17:16

The Shabbat on which we read Parshat B'Shalah is known as Shabbat Shirah, the Sabbath of Song, because the Torah reading includes the famous Shirat Hayam/Song of the Sea.

The Israelites have been freed by Pharaoh following the Tenth Plague. They are urged to leave in a hurry. As a final act Moses retrieves the bones of Joseph in order to fulfill his wish that his remains not be left behind in Egypt. Fearing a change of heart, God leads the Israelites in a circuitous route. God led them in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

God warns Moses that God will further "stiffen Pharaoh's heart" so that all of Egypt "shall know that I am the Lord". Pharaoh decides to pursue the fleeing slaves. When he came near with his chariots and army, the Israelites became frightened and complained to Moses that he had brought them to the wilderness to die. Moses urges them to "Have no fear. Witness the deliverance which the Lord will work for you today". Confident with the people, Moses is less confident when he turns for guidance to God. God urges Moses to tell the people to move forward. As we all know the sea splits and the Israelites travel through safely. When Pharaoh attempts to follow the sea closes and the Egyptian army drowns.

Chapter 15 contains the famous song of thanksgiving that Moses and the children of Israel sing at having been saved from Pharaoh. This incident and the song commemorating it became in Jewish thought the quintessential act of God's intervention in to history witnessed and experienced by all the people. The song is recited as part of the preliminary service in the daily liturgy and the quotation from it, "Mi Hamoha Ba-elim Adonai/Who is like You, Adonai, among all that is worshipped! Who is, like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, working wonder!" introduces the Amidah. When the song is sung as we read the Torah it is traditional to stand.

However no sooner than they thank God for their good fortune, but the people face crises and begin to complain. At Marah they could not drink the water, because it was bitter. Complaining to Moses, God showed him a piece of wood which when added to the water made it sweet.

By the middle of the second month the Israelites grumbled against Moses because of a shortage of food. They claimed it would have been better for them to die in Egypt. God promised nourishment in the form of Manna that they should collect each day, but only sufficient for that day's needs. However on Friday they should collect a double amount since on Saturday there would be none to collect. Though the instruction was simple there were those who took too much on weekdays and those who neglected to take the double portion on Friday.

At Rephidim the people complained for lack of water. God instructed Moses to gather the elders and the people and with his staff to strike the rock from which water will flow and as God stated, thus water was supplied to the people.

The end of our parahsah describes a confrontation with Amalek, a local leader. As long as Moses held his hand high the Israelites prevailed.

Shabbat Shalom
Candle lighting: Friday, January 18, 2008 4:39pm