Beshalach – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

And because of their test of Hashem, saying: “Is Hashem among us or not?” Amalek came and battled Yisrael in Rephidim. (17:7,8)

Klal Yisrael challenged Hashem to the point that a place is named for their contentious behavior. The name implies for all time that Hashem is always with us. Further, the name suggests that we should use prayer for expressing our needs, not complaint and challenge. Rashi explains the juxtaposition of the place that Klal Yisrael questioned Hashem’s presence among them upon the location of the battle with Amalek. When they asked, “Is Hashem among us?”, Hashem sent Amalek as an indication that He was there watching every move, listening to every complaint, responding to every ingratitude. The Midrash analogizes this…

Home -> 5757 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5757

And he turned the sea to damp land, and the water split. (14:21)

The splitting of the Red Sea was a remarkable miracle; is there a parallel in Jewish history? Was it truly the only time that water “deferred” to man? Indeed, in the Talmud Chullin 7a, Chazal recount an incident in which R’ Pinchas ben Yair was on his way to perform the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim, redeeming Jewish captives. He came to a river that was impassable. He commanded the water to split, so that he could pass through. The river responded, “You are performing the command of your Master, and so am I. You might be successful in your efforts…

Home -> 5757 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5757

On that day Hashem saved Yisrael from the hand of Egypt. And The Bnei Yisrael went on dry land in the midst of the sea…. (14:29, 30) And Bnei Yisrael ate the manna for forty years, until their arrival in an inhabited land. (16:35)

One miraculous occurrence followed another; is there a relationship between the two? Chazal seem to think so. They say in the Talmud Pesachim 118a: “A man’s sustenance is as difficult as the splitting of the Red Sea.” Simply, put, providing man with sustenance is as great a feat as Krias Yam Suf. The Zohar Ha’kadosh questions Chazal’s statement. Is there any act that is difficult for Hashem to perform? Was Krias Yam Suf difficult for Hashem? Is it difficult for Hashem to sustain a person? A number of explanations address this Chazal. The Chozeh M’Lublin, z”l, suggests a profound insight….

Home -> 5757 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5757

This is my G-d and I will glorify Him. (15:2)

The Midrash explains that Klal Yisrael were privy to remarkable spiritual revelations as they stood by the shores of the Red Sea. Indeed, Chazal tell us that a common maidservant was able to perceive greater revelations of the Shechinah than Yechezkel Ha’navi! This is derived from the word “zeh,” “this,” of the phrase “Zeh Keli V’anveihu,” “This is my G-d and I will beautify Him.” The Jews were able to point with their finger to the awesome sights they were experiencing. Yet, as Horav Shalom Shwadron, shlita, notes, the maidservant remained a simple maidservant despite her exposure to such heightened…

Home -> 5756 -> Beshalach

Sruly Schnair In Beshalach, 5756

“And the water was a wall for them, on their right and on their left.” (14:29)

The Midrash, cited by the Daas Zekeinim, comments that when Bnei Yisrael approached the Red Sea, menacing waters confronted them. There seemed to be no hope. The Angel Gavriel came forth and declared, “Let the waters in front of Bnei Yisrael move aside in deference to the nation who perform the Bris Milah. The waters which are to the right of Bnei Yisrael should likewise defer to the nation that accepted the Torah from Hashem’s ‘right Hand.’ The waters to the left should submit to the nation that puts tefillin on the left arm, and the waters behind them should…

Home -> 5756 -> Beshalach

Sruly Schnair In Beshalach, 5756

“And in the morning you will see the glory of Hashem, as He listens to the complaints against Hashem, and what are we that you should incite complaints against us?” (16:7)

The Talmud in Chullin 89 notes that Moshe’s and Aharon’s level of humility surpasses even that of Avraham Avinu. The Patriarch compared himself to lowly dust (rptu rpg hfbtu), while Moshe and Aharon claimed they were nothing (vn ubjbu). This motivated Rava to declare that the world is sustained only in the merit of Moshe’s and Aharon’s humility, as it is stated, vnhkc kg .rt vk,, “He hangs the earth on nothing (Iyov 26:7). This refers to vn ubjb, “What are we?” the words with which Moshe and Aharon described themselves. Chazal apparently imply that Moshe’s and Aharon’s statement was…

Home -> 5756 -> Beshalach

Sruly Schnair In Beshalach, 5756

“And it was when Moshe held up his hand that Yisrael prevailed .” (17:11)

Rashi comments that Moshe’s hands became heavy as a form of punishment, because he did not personally involve himself in the mitzvah of battling Amalek. According to Rashi these pesukim seem inconsistent with one another. On the one hand, Moshe raised his hand, turning the tide and effecting Klal Yisrael’s victory. On the other hand, Moshe is criticized for his atzlus, indolence, in not personally being involved in the war. How are these two ideas to be reconciled? Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch, z.l., infers from this pasuk a profound insight into the responsibility of a manhig Yisrael, Torah leader. One…

Home -> 5756 -> Beshalach

Sruly Schnair In Beshalach, 5756

“Write this as a memorial in the Book… that I will surely erase the memory of Amalek from beneath the Heaven.” (17:14)

Ordinarily, the word “sefer” refers to a book or any form of written memorandum. The word used here is “ba’sefer” which denotes “the” book. Therefore, we must assume that herein Hashem implores Moshe to write this memorial in The Book — the Torah. Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, notes the significance of the fact that the very first command to write anything of the Torah was given for the purpose of exacting retribution from Amalek. This signifies the importance of combatting the enemies of Hashem. Even today when none of Amalek’s descendants are known, we are still implored to remember that…

Home -> 5755 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5755

“And Hashem said to Moshe, ‘Why do you cry out to Me? Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael and let them journey forward.'” (14:15)

Rashi explains Hashem’s response to Moshe as he stood in supplication before Him. Hashem told Moshe, “Now, when Bnei Yisrael are in distress, is not the appropriate time to prolong one’s prayer. Let them go forward, for the merit of their forefathers and their own emunah, faith, which they have exhibited is sufficient cause for the sea to split before them.” This interpretation is enigmatic. Moshe was praying to Hashem during a time of severe crisis for Bnei Yisrael. Hashem told Moshe that now, when Bnei Yisrael were teetering on the brink of disaster, was not a time for prayer….

Home -> 5755 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5755

“And the Bnei Yisrael went into the sea on dry land.” (14:22)

The Mechilta describes the scenario and dialogue that took place among the tribes prior to the splitting of the sea. Bnei Yisrael were standing by the shores of the Red Sea with the Egyptian army literally breathing down their necks. Suddenly, they began to argue about who should go into the water first. Each tribe vied for the opportunity to be the first to enter the Red Sea. During the negotiations, Nachshon ben Aminadav of the Tribe of Yehudah, jumped into the threatening waters. The tribe of Yehudah was indeed lauded for this singular act of devotion. As is stated…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Beshalach ->

And because of their test of Hashem, saying: “Is Hashem among us or not?” Amalek came and battled Yisrael in Rephidim. (17:7,8)

And he turned the sea to damp land, and the water split. (14:21)

On that day Hashem saved Yisrael from the hand of Egypt. And The Bnei Yisrael went on dry land in the midst of the sea…. (14:29, 30) And Bnei Yisrael ate the manna for forty years, until their arrival in an inhabited land. (16:35)

This is my G-d and I will glorify Him. (15:2)

“And the water was a wall for them, on their right and on their left.” (14:29)

“And in the morning you will see the glory of Hashem, as He listens to the complaints against Hashem, and what are we that you should incite complaints against us?” (16:7)

“And it was when Moshe held up his hand that Yisrael prevailed .” (17:11)

“Write this as a memorial in the Book… that I will surely erase the memory of Amalek from beneath the Heaven.” (17:14)

“And Hashem said to Moshe, ‘Why do you cry out to Me? Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael and let them journey forward.'” (14:15)

“And the Bnei Yisrael went into the sea on dry land.” (14:22)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!