In parshas BeShalach the children
of Israel leave Egypt and enter the Sinai Desert Israel
passed through and Egypt
drowned. It continues with the
sweetening of bitter water, manna raining down from heaven, and water from a
rock; also miracles. It concludes with the defeat of Amalek in war by natural
means.
The Chumash explains that when Israel left Egypt
for the Holy Land , G-d did not let them take
the short direct route along the Mediterranean coast. This was the route taken
by Avraham to Egypt
during the famine in his days and taken by the brothers of Yosef during the
famine in their days. Rather the children of Israel
traveled hundreds of miles to the south including unnecessarily traversing the Red Sea . The reason given for this unusual path is, if
it's possible to say, that G-d was concerned that when Israel saw war they would return to Egypt .
The pasuk also mentions that the children of Israel
left Egypt
armed hinting of wars to come.
The Shem MiShmuel brings a debate
in the Mechilta, which is paralled by the Clee Yakar. Rabbi Yehoshua takes the
position that Israel needed to experience the parting of the Red Sea so they
would have the necessary faith in G-d and in fact believe the prophesy of Moshe
rabenu. This was in order for them to accept the Torah on Mount
Sinai . Rabbi Eliezer more of less takes the position that the
adventures in the desert were needed so that the Jewish people would have
confidence in war so they would not flee back to Egypt . The idea is that if they
attempted to return to Egypt
they would retrace the circuitous path they were currently on. On this the
Ramban comments that if the diaspora seems close there is a tendency to return
there. In addition the hardships faced by the people purified them. Because of
the trials in the desert the nation gained confidence that through adherence to
the faith, they would prevail in war. This theme is expressed in Psalm 44:4:
כִּי
לֹא בְחַרְבָּם יָרְשׁוּ אָרֶץ וּזְרוֹעָם לֹא הוֹשִׁיעָה לָּמוֹ כִּי יְמִינְךָ
וּזְרוֹעֲךָ וְאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ כִּי רְצִיתָם:
For not by their sword did they inherit the
land, neither did their arm save them, but Your right hand and Your arm and the
light of Your countenance, for You favored them.
This mirrors the story of the war
against Amalek. The Mishna explains that when the hearts of Israel were towards heaven they
prevailed but when not, they faltered.
There are hints and explorations of
these concepts in the sixth tale in "Praises of the Baal Shem Tov" (שבחי הבש"ט
). In it the Baal Shem Tov falls in with a gang of robbers. They tell him that
they can show him the way to the land
of Israel
The first verse of this parsha
comes to teach us that the war against Amalek is in every generation and
assumes many guises. Sometimes it is with bombs and bullets. Other times the
weapon is simply a sympathetic ear. It is not certain which war is the more
difficult. There is a tendency when faced with a swinging sword or gross
aggravation to flee to a less taxing life in the exile. However if we have
witnessed the parting of the Red Sea, heard the voice on Mount Sinai, and have
all ready defeated Amalek in one battle, we then have the faith and wisdom to
prevail in the wars of Hashem.
>>>>>>>>>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^ <<<<<<<<<<
A
discussion of how the parting of the Red Sea
and other experiences in the desert prepared the Jewish people to accept the
Torah and to fight the wars of Hashem
To download Audio click: https://www.box.com/s/puqj7s9p2xg57usgdsy0
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