B'shalach
Exodus 13:17-17:16
Précis: And when Pharaoh “had let them go” (b’shalach), the story of the Exodus from Egypt is concluded - almost. Carrying with them the bones of Joseph and the "spoils of Egypt," Moses leads the Israelites by way of the Red Sea. They cross the Sea ahead of Pharaoh’s pursuing army, in which they subsequently drown. Moses sings his triumphant Song of the Sea, and Miriam’s song of joy follows. The Israelites begin to murmur against Moses and Aaron because of a lack of food and water. God provides heavenly “manna” to eat and instructs Moses to strike a rock to obtain water. The Shabbat is introduced as a day of rest, even before it appears in the 10 Commandments. In their first battle, with Amalek, the Israelites are successful as long as Moses’ hands remain in the air, and with the help of Aaron and Joshua (who support Moses’ arms), the Israelites succeed.
Exodus 15:1-19 “Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this song....”
This week we observe "Shabbat Shirah - the Sabbath of Song," when we read of the miraculous intervention by God, saving the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptians. The Shabbat gets its name, of course, from the reading this week of the Song sung by Moses in celebration of the survival of the Israelites, and of the destruction of the Egyptians.
Before proceeding, it’s appropriate to mention the untimely death this past week of Debbie Friedman, z’l. The wonderful singer, songwriter and teacher touched millions with her melodious kavanah, and her death just prior to Shabbat Shirah is ironic and in some way appropriate, although much, much too soon. May her memory always be for a blessing.
The Exodus story could have ended earlier, but instead we have a final “change of heart” by Pharaoh, who pursues the Israelites to the edge of the Sea, only to see his army destroyed. As JTS Chancellor Ismar Schorsch observed, this brings the Exodus story full circle: from the river where Moses was saved to the Sea where the Jewish People are saved. Just as Pharaoh tried to eliminate the Jews by drowning the male children, now his own army is drowned.
In addition to the niceties of literary bookends, the text is an important reminder of the ancient belief that God intervenes in human history. The rabbis inserted this text into the daily liturgy as a reminder of God’s compassion and importance in our daily lives. To many modern Jews, the idea of God’s intervention in the world or in personal events is problematic, because it raises the corollary question of why God (apparently) fails to act at times of great horror and loss.
Whether or not we believe in God’s intervention in the day to day events of our lives, I do believe that something beyond ourselves accounts for the survival of the Jewish People through millennia of persecution. It’s more than “good luck” or “coincidence.” At the core of this week’s reading is a belief in salvation through Divine influence, based on the concept of a covenant relationship. It is a theme worth considerable and serious thought.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Light and Darkness
Bo
Exodus 10:1-13:16
Précis: God sends the 8th and 9th plagues, locusts and darkness and warns Moses that the 10th and final plague will follow. God instructs Moses on the institution of the Passover. Then, the final plague, the death of all of the first born, is wrecked on Egypt, and the Israelites, accompanied by the “mixed multitudes” leave Egypt, carrying with them the “spoils of Egypt” given to them by the Egyptians. The parasha ends with a repetition of the laws regarding Passover.
Exodus 10:23 “…But the Israelites had light in their dwellings...”
Our narrative brings us to the concluding plagues. While the Egyptians huddled in their homes, frightened during the plague of darkness, unable to see one another and even prevented from moving about, the Israelites "had light in their dwellings." Does this mean that the plague did not affect the Israelite homes, but magically spared them?
Sforno tells us that the darkness was more than the absence of light, which could otherwise be overcome by a candle. This was a darkness so thick it could be touched - a palpable darkness of a deeper nature. One midrash emphatically says that it was just as dark in the homes of the Israelites, but that their suffering kindled the lamp of hope, and knowing that their freedom was soon to occur, they could have "light" in their homes. When we are surrounded by the "darkness" which is part of life, keeping in mind the hope of redemption can spark the light we need to overcome the difficulties.
We can look at the concept of light and darkness from another perspective. Jews living in 21st century America have the ability to live Jewish lives more freely, openly, and unencumbered than any generation before us. We are free to participate in all aspects of American life: business, politics, education etc. In other words, we live in an environment of unprecedented “light.” But like the darkness which blinded the Egyptians, this light can be blinding as well. Our freedom to engage in all aspects of modern American life can “blind” us to what our tradition declares to be most important: love of God, devotion to family, and care for the less fortunate among us.
Exodus 10:1-13:16
Précis: God sends the 8th and 9th plagues, locusts and darkness and warns Moses that the 10th and final plague will follow. God instructs Moses on the institution of the Passover. Then, the final plague, the death of all of the first born, is wrecked on Egypt, and the Israelites, accompanied by the “mixed multitudes” leave Egypt, carrying with them the “spoils of Egypt” given to them by the Egyptians. The parasha ends with a repetition of the laws regarding Passover.
Exodus 10:23 “…But the Israelites had light in their dwellings...”
Our narrative brings us to the concluding plagues. While the Egyptians huddled in their homes, frightened during the plague of darkness, unable to see one another and even prevented from moving about, the Israelites "had light in their dwellings." Does this mean that the plague did not affect the Israelite homes, but magically spared them?
Sforno tells us that the darkness was more than the absence of light, which could otherwise be overcome by a candle. This was a darkness so thick it could be touched - a palpable darkness of a deeper nature. One midrash emphatically says that it was just as dark in the homes of the Israelites, but that their suffering kindled the lamp of hope, and knowing that their freedom was soon to occur, they could have "light" in their homes. When we are surrounded by the "darkness" which is part of life, keeping in mind the hope of redemption can spark the light we need to overcome the difficulties.
We can look at the concept of light and darkness from another perspective. Jews living in 21st century America have the ability to live Jewish lives more freely, openly, and unencumbered than any generation before us. We are free to participate in all aspects of American life: business, politics, education etc. In other words, we live in an environment of unprecedented “light.” But like the darkness which blinded the Egyptians, this light can be blinding as well. Our freedom to engage in all aspects of modern American life can “blind” us to what our tradition declares to be most important: love of God, devotion to family, and care for the less fortunate among us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)