B"H
Tuesday, Shevat 9, 5780 / February 4, 2020
This Shabbat we will read Parshat B'Shalach. In last week’s Parsha, Bo, we read about the Exodus from Egypt. In this week’s Parsha we read about the splitting of The Sea and how the Jewish people crossed through it on dry land, while the Egyptians, who were chasing after them, drowned.
The Torah tells us that after letting them go, "The heart of Pharaoh and his servants changed toward the people, and they said: 'What have we done, that we have let the people go?'"
Pharaoh and his men pursued the Jewish people and caught up to them by The Sea. Trapped between The Sea and Pharaoh's army, the Torah states, "The Children of Israel lifted up their eyes and, behold the Egyptians were marching after them; and they feared exceedingly, and the Children of Israel cried out to G-d."
G-d responded, "Tell the Children of Israel to go forward. Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over The Sea, and divide it, and they shall go into The Sea on the dry land."
After crossing through The Sea and witnessing their enemies drown, their faith was greatly strengthened. The Torah says, "And Israel saw the great hand which G-d brought upon the Egyptians and the people feared G-d; and they believed in G-d and in Moshe his servant.”
The Exodus from Egypt wasn't complete until they were rid of the Egyptians, which occurred only after they crossed The Sea. Thus, the splitting of The Sea was the final stage of the Exodus.
Moshe and the people sang a special song praising G-d for this great miracle, which begins, "Az Yashir." Our sages incorporated this song into our daily morning prayers, to be recited every day.
Q. What is the significance of reciting the Az Yashir each day, a song which the Jewish people sang for the miracle of the splitting of The Sea, which took place over three thousand years ago?
A. The Jewish peoples’ crossing through The Sea represents the final phase of the Exodus. The Torah commands us, "Remember the Exodus each day of your life." By reciting the Az Yashir, we fulfill the mitzvah of remembering the Exodus each day.
Another reason: Reciting the "Az Yashir" each day teaches us an important daily lesson. The splitting of The Sea occurred as 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 what G-d chose for their salvation. The Az Yashir is a daily reminder that no matter how difficult things may seem, even when one doesn’t see any practical solution, one must not give up. We should continuously have faith in G-d. G-d’s help is not limited to the laws of nature. It can occur from a most unexpected place.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY