B"H
Monday, Shevat 8, 5779 / January 14, 2019
In this week's Torah portion, Parshat B'Shalach, we read about the great miracle of the splitting of the Sea. It was a life saver for the Jewish people and a death trap in which the Egyptians, chasing after the Jewish people, drowned.
After crossing the sea, Moshe and the Jewish people sang the "Shira," the “song,”praising and thanking G-d for the great miracle which they just experienced. Because of the reading of the “Shira,” this Shabbat is called "Shabbat Shira" - "Shabbat of Song."
The Torah describes this miraculous episode as follows: "The Children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall on their right and on their left. G-d saved Israel that day. And Israel saw the great hand through which G-d punished the Egyptians. The people feared and believed in G-d and in Moshe His servant. Moshe and the children of Israel sang this song…"
The Shirawas incorporated in our morning prayers and recited each day of the year.
Q. Why is the Shira, sung for a miracle which took place over 3,000 years ago, important today?
A. To remind us that every day of our life is a miracle worthy of singing G-d's praises.
Reciting the "Az Yashir" every day also teaches us an important lesson. The splitting of the sea occurred when Jews couldn't see any way out of their grave situation. The last thing they would think of doing was going into the sea. Yet, that is exactly what G-d chose for their salvation.
Similarly, we are reminded each day that no matter how difficult things may seem, one must not give up. Instead, we should continuously have faith in G-d. For, just as with the splitting of the Sea, His help and salvation can occur at any moment and from a most unexpected place.
The Torah makes special mention about the women who were singing, dancing and playing their tambourines in praise to G-d.
According to our sages, the women were more confidentthan the men that G-d would perform miracles for them. While still in Egypt, they made tambourinesto help them celebrate the Exodus. They used these tambourines to accompany them as they sang praises to G-d.
Q. Passover we celebrate the miracle of the Exodus. Is there a celebration for the crossing of the sea?
A. The first day of Passover is a day when work is prohibited (in the Diaspora the first two days), to celebrate the miracle of the Exodus. The seventh day is again a day when work is prohibited (in the Diaspora the seventh and eight day). This is to celebrate the miracle of the splitting of the sea, which took place on the seventh day after leaving Egypt.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY