Parashat Beshalach
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'.
Contents |
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.