The Egyptians knew why – Parsha BeShalach
Parsha BeShalach / When he sent / Shemot / Exodus 13:17 – 17:16
What a parsha and time of the year!… of firsts.
The Hebrew nation experiences their first taste of freedom from Mitzrayim or Egypt. The first prophet is a prophetess and the scriptures speak Miriam’s name for the first time.People hear the first instructions for observing Shabbat or Shabbat. The first battles fought and not fought occur. Lastly, a seasonal celebration, it’s the first day of the new year for trees and their fruits beginning Erev Shabbat or Friday evening..
This is the Hebrews’ experience. What would your thoughts be doubling back to a vulnerable position then seeing Pharaoh’s Army? What insights from the Exodus speak to journey with HaShem.
In the Hebrew culture, the value of a woman was being a wife, bearing children, running all the household and her business affairs. Miriam remained true to her childhood mission from the Most High as she became a married woman without children. Her value as a person, apart from the role of a mother, was recognized in this community before HaShem. When her work matured and reached out from her family to the Hebrew nation she was no longer Moses’ sister, but Miriam.
The nation saw HaShem’s victory for them and the defeat of Pharaoh’s Army. Moshe and the people sang a song of telling of the victory. As a prophetess heard the Almighty, responds to Moshe’s song, and tells the women in today’s vernacular, “Listen up, now! Sing out strong to HaShem. Jam with those instruments. Don’t just stand there, dance!” Listen to the Song of Miriam.
Miriam fully and simple worships the Most High, in song, with drum or tambourine, and in dance. She is actively engaged with her feet, hands and her voice using all her senses. The women sang and danced to HaShem with the men’ hearing and seeing them in the midst of the people. The women listened and worshiped with her.
Questions arise from this passage that you may wish you explore.
- What does it mean to be called by your name, named as someone’s relative?
- Am I engaged in purpose and call from HaShem in my life?
- Am I tuned in to offer B”H, Baruch HaShem, Bless G-d for what He does?
Explanations of the four responses of the Hebrews when they discovered Pharaoh’s Army chasing them and Moses’ exhortations as see by the great rabbis are:
- People wanted to give up, to walk into the sea, commit suicide rather than be taken back to Egypt. They hear “Do not fear! “Stand fast and see . . .”
- Other murmur, “Let’s go back to Egypt, we’ll come out with better prepared we know Pharaoh’s ways. These hear, “Do not fear! . . . You shall not see them ever again! . . .”
- Still others knowing they left Egypt armed and prepared chose to fight Pharaoh’s Army. Moshe’s words “Do not fear! HaShem will make war for you, . . .”
- Some lifted their eyes to prayer as the Hebrews were accustomed. Even these heard, “Do not fear!… you shall remain silent.” They had done what was asked, they left, and they listened. It was now time to learn to rein in the emotions and have faith the HaShem would meet them in their need. They were free, and dependent upon the One True G-d.
Today we have the same responses to stress and challenges.
- What is common between their and our responses to dark challenges in life today?
- How do we know when to be still, act, or pray?
- How does HaShem respond to your voiced fears in prayer?
Shabbat! They’ve known of it, but have been slaves with a seven day workweek. Now a day where even the food HaShem provides will be provided as a double portion for Shabbat so no one must gather food. This is the first how-to lesson in keeping Shabbat. Two loaves of Challah bread to remind us of two days portion of food provided each Erev Shabbat today Double Portion of Challah The first steps in keeping Shabbat and having Shabbat dinner will be discussed in other articles, stay tuned.
A war with Amelek ensued. The men fighting and Moshe each were dependent. and Moshe needed the help to aid the Hebrews in battle. Those on the battlefield knew the power of Moshes connection to HaShem and his leadership to the people. Moshe’s Arms Raised in Battle No one fought this battle alone. It was won only with HaShem’s assistance. We too have our “front lines”.
- Who is standing behind us in prayer?
- Do you have a community to stand with you?
- Do you know what is expected of you, and what you can expect in that community??
Hebrews were learning to think as a free people, listen and trust HaShem and Moshe. This nation was set apart for HaShem, different from the other nations. They were preparing to enter the Land of Milk and Honey where the fruit was bountiful. No MapQuest at the time, HaShem led them on the roundabout 40 year route to the Promised Land. Today we can celebrate the gift of diversity and bounty they knew was in the Land. Tu B’Shevat, the Tree’s New Year begins Friday evening. It celebrates the diversity of fruit and marks tithing of the produce. Tu B’Shevat Fruit. All we know for certain is that there are no accidents.
All is for the good and B”H, all is well is a statement of relationship to HaShem as well as the condition of your welfare. Where are you on the Exodus Journey and what is the Egypt in your life? Are our lives different from those who do not know HaShem? Can they see a difference or know why there is a difference? The Egyptians knew why.
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Filed Under: Bat Torah, Messianic Judaism, Parashat Beshalach, Torah, Torah Video
Tags: BeShalach, business affairs, erev shabbat, first taste of freedom, friday evening, hebrew culture, hebrew nation, hebrews, married woman, miriam, moshe, pharaoh, prophetess, role of a mother, s song, seasonal celebration, Shabbat, tambourine, taste of freedom, vernacular, vulnerable position
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