In this week’s torah portion (Beshalach) the liberated Israelites flee Egypt only to be pursued by a regretful Pharaoh. At the shore of the Red Sea, the Israelites are frightened by Pharaoh’s approaching chariots. Moses lifts us his staff and the waters of the sea part. The Israelites rejoice by singing “The Song of the Sea” (Shirat HaYam). These stirring words include the verse that is part of every morning and afternoon liturgy: Michamocha ba-eilim Adona (Who is like you Adonai). According to the Midrash, this Song of the Sea was a special kind of singing---a sort of song that was reserved for the momentous occasion of the parting of the Red Sea.
The torah tells us (Exodus 15:1-2) Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to God, and spoke, saying: I will sing to God, for God is highly exalted; Horse and rider God has thrown into the sea. (2) God is my strength and song, and will become my salvation; This is my God, and I will glorify God My father’s God, and I will exalt God.
But later in the portion, the torah also tells us (Exodus 15:20121) And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took her drum in her hand; and all the women went out after her with drums and with dances. (21) And Miriam answered them: Sing to God, for God is highly exalted: Horse and rider God has thrown into the sea. The text tells us that both Moses and Miriam sang and according to the Torah and they both sang a very similar song. The medieval French commentator Rashi wonders if there any difference in what
Miriam sang and what Moses sang? He tells us: Moses sang the song for the men—he would say it and they would respond after him---and Miriam sang the song for the women (and they too repeated it). So although they both sing similar songs, Miriam’s song is for the women and Moses’ song is for the men, according to the commentary. Think about this: Describe a time you impulsively expressed gratitude, relief, or joy for a miracle in your own life What is your natural, spontaneous way to express gratitude? Have you had any “Red Sea” moments in your life? What are the “miracles” in your life? When you experience “miracles” do you tend to praise God for them? Do you offer thanks in any way? What- if any- kinds of singing or music express your deep feelings of joy? Moses and Miriam begin their songs almost identically. Why did the women and the men sing separately rather than together? What message might this have for contemporary society?
Shabbat ShalomCantor Evan Kent