Parashat Beshalach

Revision as of 18:17, 11 January 2014

Parashas Beshalach is the fourth parsha in the Book of Shemos and the 4th week of Shovavim. It contains 116 pesukim. For the Haftora; Ashkenazim read the 'story' and the 'song of Devorah', while Sepharadim only read the 'song'.

Exodus from Egypt

Hashem chooses to lead the Jewish Nation to Eretz Yisroel through a long windy path in the desert as apposed to the short route. This was to prevent the Jews from retreating back to Egypt when they encounter opposition such as the war of Amelek and Canaan.

Only a fifth of the original Jewish population meditated to lave Egypt, the remainder having died during the 'plague of darkness'. The Jews take weapons along with them, these were later used to fight in their various battles. Moshe takes the coffin of Yosef with him to fulfill the oath Yosef bound his brothers with forcing them to in turn bind their descendants with an oath to carry his coffin to Eretz Yisroel when they are redeemed.

They travel from Sukkot and camp in Essum. Hashem travels in front of them leading them with a pillar of cloud during the daytime and a pillar of fire at night.

Hashem commands the Jews to revert and return to Pi Hachirot and camp in front of the surviving deity Baal Tzaphone. This will lead Pharaoh to believe the Jews have become confused and lost in the desert and cause him to chase after them.

Splitting of the Sea

Pharaoh had sent spies amongst the Erev Rav who joined the Jews. They now informed him that the Jews had no intention of returning to Egypt and planned on escaping for good.

Pharaoh and his ministers have a change of heart and they decide to chase after the Jews. They gather all their cavalry and warriors and set out, let by six hundred elite chariots and a consignment of generals.

The Egyptians confront the Jews as they camp near the sea by Pi Hachiros in front of Baal Tzaphone. Pharaoh races ahead of his army. The Jews see the Egyptians chasing after them, they are very frightened and scream to Hashem. They then complain to Moshe for taking them out and ask him "were there not enough graves in Egypt that you have taken us out to die in the desert?". They remind him that they had already mentioned this to him while they were still in Egypt, that it was better to remain there then to leave and die in the desert. Moshe replies that they should not fear and will soon see the great salvation that Hashem will perform for them. He then adds that after that day the Egyptians will never be seen the same. All they have to do is remain silent and Hashem will fight for them.

Moshe starts to pray. Hashem tells him to stop yelling and tell the Jews to advance. He then tells Moshe to lift his hand over the sea and split it into two so the Jews can pass through on dry land.

Both the angel and the pillar of cloud that normally traveled in front of the Jewish camp, now relocate to the back of the camp, dividing them form the Egyptians for the entire night.

Moshe raises his arm over the sea and Hashem brings a strong wind the entire night that splits the sea, paving a path of dry land. The Jews enter the sea and the water is frozen like a barricade on their right and left.

The Egyptians chase the Jews following them into the sea. At dawn Hashem confounds the Egyptian army, removing the wheels of their chariots and thrusting them with great heaviness. Seeing that Hashem is fighting for the Jews, the Egyptians decide to evacuate.

Hashem tells Moshe to raise his hand over the sea and let the water return to its former position. Just as the morning is about to arrive, Moshe raises his arm and the water crashes down, drowning every last one of the Egyptians with the exception of Pharaoh.

Song of the Sea

The Jews seeing the great miracle performed for them, experience a state of great belief in Hashem and his tzadik Moshe. They then proceed to sing the 'Song of the Sea'

Song of the Women

Miriam, followed by all the women take out timbrels and begin to dance and play their instruments. Miriam proceeds to sing a song of thanks to Hashem.

The Bitter Waters

Moshe leads the Jews from Yam Suf through a three day trip in the 'Wilderness of Shur', during which they do not have any water to drink. They reach Marah and finally discover a source of water but it is undrinkable due to its bitterness. The Jews complains to Moshe who in turn screams to Hashem. He is instructed to throw a tree into the water. This sweetens the water and the Jews are able to drink. In Marah the Jews are given a few commandments. They are informed that if they listen to all the laws of Hashem and do what is good in His eyes, they would be spared from all the illness that they had seen Hashem afflict the Egyptians with.

Elim

From Marah the Jews travel to Elim. There they find twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees.

The Mun

Thirst of Refidim

Battle of Amalek