Parshat Beshallach; Exodus 13:17- 17:16 by Rabbi Denise L. Eger

This Shabbat is always known as Shabbat Shirah—the Sabbath of Song or Singing. Because this week’s parsha contains one of the Torah’s most famous passages—Shirat HaYam—the song or poem of the Sea. The great liturgical poem of celebration of the Children of Israel crossing the Red Sea is contained in this week’s reading.

Laid out in special form and format, like a brick wall, the words of praise and prayer give thanks for the redemption at the shores of the Red Sea. The passage praises God’s power and might and glory for overthrowing the strong Egyptian army and chariots and for coming to Israel’s aid. It expresses the feeling of God’s love for the Israelites. We chant Shirat HaYam with special pomp and ceremony including special trope or melody. And most importantly we pledge our loyalty to God in a special way even prior to Sinai—We sing out “This is my God that I will enshrine!”

This is a special moment in the lives of the Israelites and the history of the Jewish people. Our words are words of faith. Our song is one of triumph of the spirit as well as triumph over the evil of Egyptian oppression. Our song today, re-affirms that just as God did miracles for our ancestors, we must be prepared to see the miracles that God still does for us in daily life!

Throughout our music, worship and tefilah we reenact this sacred poem and bring to the community the special feeling that must have overflowed at the shores of the Red Sea. How powerful it is to feel redeemed! Chanting Shirat HaYam helps us to know redemption and helps us to imagine that we too might one day be redeemed by God’s very hand.

The very way we chant it by singing it aloud and by repeating the verses helps us to reinforce its message of faith and love and loyalty. The Talmud in Sotah 30b discusses the singing of Shirat Ha Yam.

Our Rabbis taught: On that day R. Akiba expounded: At the time the Israelites ascended from the Red Sea, they desired to utter a Song; and how did they render the song? Like an adult who reads the Hallel [for a congregation] and they respond after him with the leading word. [According to this explanation] Moses said: ‘I will sing unto the Lord’ and they responded, ‘I will sing unto the Lord’; Moses said: ‘For He hath triumphed gloriously’ and they responded, ‘I will sing unto the Lord’. R. Eliezer son of R. Jose the Galilean declares, Like a minor who reads the Hallel [for a congregation], and they repeat after him all that he says. [According to this explanation] Moses said: ‘I will sing unto the Lord’ and they responded, ‘I will sing unto the Lord’; Moses said: ‘For He hath triumphed gloriously’ and they responded, ‘For He hath triumphed gloriously’. R. Nehemiah declares: Like a schoolteacher who recites the Shema’ in the Synagogue, viz., he begins first and they respond after him.

They record in the Talmud various differences in the way this Song was chanted in the synagogue setting. Some traditions clearly say that the leader began and the community responded with specific words. Others the leader begins and the community repeats the verse.

In either case the Talmud records various traditions that say the Song of the Sea was not only read by the Torah reader but enthusiastically chanted by the community as well. This experience of the redemption at the shores of the Red Sea is not just an experience that one reads about, or hears about from others but must be shared by the whole community and in the singing and responding we participate in the celebration with fullness.

What a great message for all of us today! Our tradition is not merely to be studied in theory, or read about in some ancient books, or only heard about in a lecture. It must be experienced and given your own voice!

Judaism is not only about study but we study in order to do.

Thus the song of the Sea—helps us in our efforts. Let us learn in order to sing joyously and experience God’s Divine Saving hand for ourselves.

Posted by Lee at February 6, 2006 09:03 AM