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Home -> 5759 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Beshalach, 5759

Moshe caused Bnei Yisrael to journey from the Yam Suf…they went for a three day period in the wilderness, but they did not find water. (15:22)

Moshe had to force the people to leave the Yam Suf.  Had it been up to Klal Yisrael, they would have remained there gathering up the immense spoils of the Egyptian army.  Chazal tell us that the Egyptians, asssured of their impending victory over the Jews, bedecked their horses with every type of jewelry, gold and silver.  After it was all over, the Jews had a “difficult” time coping with the enormous wealth that was now theirs for the taking.  As a result, they refused to leave.  Their behavior is mind-boggling!  It is understandable that people seek wealth for a…

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Home -> 5759 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Beshalach, 5759

Then Moshe and Bnei Yisrael chose to sing this song to Hashem. (15:1)

Klal Yisrael praised Hashem for the miracle of Krias Yam Suf, the splitting of the Red Sea, through a shirah, a song of praise.  This rare, sublime expression of gratitude to Hashem is unique in its form and meaning.  We should address a pressing question regarding the shirah.  Krias Yam Suf was not the first miracle that Klal Yisrael had experienced.  Many miraculous occurrences had preceded it.  There were the Ten Plagues that befell Egypt.  Were they so “natural” that they paled in comparison to the splitting of the Red Sea?  Why did Klal Yisrael wait so long to sing…

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Home -> 5759 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Beshalach, 5759

Moshe said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand fast and see the salvation of Hashem…for as you have seen Egypt today, you shall not see them ever again…Hashem shall do battle for you, and you shall remain silent. Hashem said to Moshe, “Why do you cry out to Me?” (14:13, 14,15)

Chazal teach us that four distinct groups confronted Moshe. The first group were the fatalists, who felt the end was near, no vestige of hope remained.  They might as well walk into the sea and die, rather than fall into Pharaoh’s hands.  The second group consisted of the pacifists, who felt that the only way out of their present predicament was to return to Egypt and adopt the Egyptian culture.  Their motto was: If you cannot fight them – join them.  These people were scared of their own shadow, submitting before they ever had a chance to fight.  The third…

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Home -> 5759 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Beshalach, 5759

Pharaoh approached; the Bnei Yisrael raised up their eyes and behold – Egypt was journeying after them. (14:10)

Rashi notes that the word “nosea,” journeying, is written in the singular.   It should be written as “nosim”, in the plural, which would be the appropriate term for describing an entire army.  He explains that the Egyptians were all united in heart and mind, committed to pursuing and destroying the Jews.  Everyone amassed into a united front with the singular goal of destruction.  The Avnei Nezer notes a similar syntax for describing the Jewish camp at Har Sinai immediately preceding the Giving of the Torah.  The Torah states (Shemos 19:2), “Vayichan ha’am neged ha’har,” “and the nation camped before the…

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