The Splitting of the Sea

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Divine Therapy at the Red Sea
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
The Splitting of the Sea has a dual purpose: the explicit purpose involves the Egyptians, and the implicit purpose involves Am Yisrael. This conclusion stems from a literary analysis of the episode, which includes two parallel parts.
The Blessed Volunteers
Haftarot: Beshalah
Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein
The message of the war led by Devorah and Barak is the responsibility of the minority, who break through the indifference and decide to act.
Crossing the Yarden - The Theme of Passage
Rabbi Michael Hattin
This lesson compares the crossing of the Yarden with its most obvious parallel, the crossing of Yam Suf. In both incidents the crossing is not merely physical but existential - crossing into freedom leaving the slave masters of Egypt behind for good and forty years later crossing out of the nomadic lives of the wilderness into the settled life of Eretz Yisrael. Similarly, Avraham and Yaakov cross waters marking significant changes in their lives. While many similarities exist between the crossing of Yam Suf and the Yarden, the many differences between the two episodes highlight the stage of development the nation is in during each episode.
Revisiting the Yarden Crossing
Rabbi Michael Hattin
In direct contrast to the convention of the wilderness, in which the Pillar of Cloud and Ark always precede the people to their destination, here the Pillar of Cloud has in fact disappeared completely and the Ark remained temporarily behind, to indicate to the people that settling Canaan will require a higher level of involvement on their part. They have not been guided to the banks of the Jordan only to maintain the helpless object status that characterized them at Yam Suf. Here, they must complete the process of their liberation by demonstrating direction, resolve, and enterprise. Therefore, they must pass before the Ark.
Slave Mentality
Rabbi Alex Israel | 41 minutes
This parasha is very exciting –there is a building crescendo leading up to the miraculous splitting of the sea. But then Bnei Yisrael complain after a lack of food and water. Is God really leading the nation and providing for Bnei Yisrael? By examining literary structure and themes, and with the help of other texts, we will look at the educational message underlying the parasha.
Mizmor 95
Kabalat Shabbat (Part 5)
Rabbi Avi Baumol
Mizmor 95, the introductory Mizmor to Kabalat Shabbat, combines the universal desire to praise God, with God's demand for reciprocity from His Nation in keeping His commandments. This mirrors the desire for spirituality on Shabbat with the rigorous demands of keeping Shabbat.
The War against Amalek
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Bnei Yisrael were unprepared for their redemption from Egypt, and God places them in various situations of peril, encouraging Bnei Yisrael to raise their spiritual level high enough to enable that process to continue, and work toward real independence from their captors.
The Battle at River Kishon - Part 2
Part 2
Rabbi Michael Hattin
Although the text of Chapter 4 makes no mention of any unusual precipitation, and is content to simply describe the victory as a generic intervention of God, a careful reading of the passage would seem to provide almost undeniable evidence that the said intervention took the form of a sudden storm and a resultant flash flood of the valley floor.
The Victory Song of Devorah
Rabbi Michael Hattin
The failure of the Book of Shoftim to mention any flaws concerning the first four judges - Otniel, Ehud, Shamgar and Devorah - should be taken as an approval of their reign.

There is only one single subject that is discussed in the Song at the Sea, and that is God's saving might. Devorah's Song, on the other hand, while certainly neither negating God's intervention nor downplaying it, nevertheless acknowledges the role of numerous human characters in the victory. At the same time, Devorah discusses the complex and divisive dynamic that was at work among the tribes of Israel, as some of them selflessly volunteered for what must have seemed a lost cause, while others, who were geographically beyond the direct threat of Yavin and Sisera's tyranny, remained aloof and seemingly unconcerned.
Healing, Death and Immortality
Rabbi Alex Israel
Elisha heals the water of Jericho after crossing the Jordan, reminscent of the healing of the waters of Mara after the splitting of the Red Sea. Elisha's first act - healing the water - sharply contrasts Eliyahu's first act of decreeing a draught. Elisha's harsh reaction to the youth who taunted him reflects the message that was said to Elisha regarding his master Eliyahu. The question of Eliyahu's immortatlity is evaluated within the corpus of Tanakh and in the sources of the Sages.
God's Staff
Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot
What does Moshe's staff symbolize? What is its role in every instance it is mentioned? What is the internal division of the plagues that God brought upon Egypt, and what is the role of the staff in each of these sections? What is the role of the staff during the splitting of the sea? By examining the role of the staff in these instances, one can learn that it expresses the recognition that Moshe's leadership and his actions are all driven by God.
Parshat Beshalach
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Bnei Yisrael gloriously depart Egypt, expecting a short journey to the Land of Israel. To their surprise, they encounter instead situations of frightening war, terrible hunger, and life-threatening thirst. Are Bnei Yisrael expected not to complain; to passively accept this fate, to wait patiently for God's salvation? Is God simply 'testing' their patience? In order to answer these questions we explore the purpose of the Exodus from Egypt as a process of building trust in God. During the six week period after the Exodus, Bnei Yisrael encounter several traumatic experiences and changes in daily routine which help transform their instinctive physical dependence on Egypt to their instinctive physical dependence on God.
He Who Answered Our Ancestors at the Sea of Reeds
HaTanakh.com Staff
From Sea to Sinai - Trials and Edification
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish |
Between the two great revelations in the book of Shemot, the splitting of the sea and the Ten Commandments, the Torah describes a series of events in the wilderness, including the miraculous provision of food and water, the battle of Amalek, and the visit of Yitro. Through close reading techniques, including careful attention to literary and thematic connections linking these narratives, we will explore the ways in which the challenges and trials of living in the wilderness help prepare the people to progress from the revelation at the sea to the revelation at Sinai.
Yosef and the Splitting of the Sea
Rabbi David Silverberg
The War Against Amalek
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
In what way was Amalek so much worse than any of Israel's other enemies? What was the significance of Moshe keeping his hands raised throughout the war? Through an examination of the text we can understand that Amalek's war was, instead, the calculated plan of a nation coming to disrupt and thwart God's plan concerning the nation of Israel. We can also learn about two different models of leadership- the model of Moshe as a representative of God and that of Yehoshua, as the natural future leader of the next generation.

Moshe and his staff change from being tools to accomplish God's great and overt miracles, and instead become means of expressing the hidden Divine providence that acts within the natural reality. Thus it is specifically this natural war that turns into an exceptional educational opportunity to mold the religious consciousness of this generation, already used to miracles. God's hand works not only in great miracles that are visible to all, but also guides the world in its everyday activities and provides for each individual and nation in accordance with its needs and its actions.
Beshalach - Tefilla and Action
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 30 minutes
Bnei Yisrael are standing at the Sea, and they see the Egyptian forces coming. They call out to God, praying. Moshe tells them that God will fight for them, and that they are to proceed. How are Bnei Yisrael supposed to go if Moshe has not yet been commanded to split the sea? And how are we to understand the predicament of “Moshe’s hands were heavy” during the war with Amalek? And where does the story of the manna fit in? We find some interesting parallels to Korban Tamid. The connections between the successive stories in Beshallah, model different aspects of the idea that God demands tefilla combined with action.
Erev Shabbat BeShalach - A Quick Look at the Splitting of the Sea
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 13 minutes
At the beginning of the parsha is a pasuk describing Moshe taking the bones of Yosef along as Bnei Yisrael were leaving Egypt. The placement of this pasuk is seemingly strange. We examine a midrash that emphasizes this as a crucial component of the Splitting of the Sea miracle. The juxtaposition of Yosef's bones and Moshe at the Splitting of the Sea brings to mind parallels and insights about Yosef's life in Egypt and the Splitting of the Sea.
Beshallach - A Different Look at a Midrash about the Splitting of the Sea
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 17 minutes
A familiar midrash explains that on the 7th day of Pesach, we don't say Hallel because God's creations were drowning. But a less - widespread midrash has a different reason for not saying Hallel: that Bnei Yisrael were still in peril. We examine the different viewpoints of these midrashim, suggesting that the destruction of evil is good, and that it may be acceptable to rejoice at the destruction of evil.
Beshalach - The Downfall of Enemies
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 20 minutes
We will be investigating an interesting notion that many are familiar with: the question of rejoicing at the downfall of enemies. Is the oft-cited verse from Mishlei (Proverbs) about enemies like Pharaoh, or about something else entirely? We look at the concept of rejoicing after being saved and consider what might prevent people from doing so. We look at the story of Yehoshafat being saved miraculously in battle. We consider that evil being rooted out of the world should be a cause of rejoicing. Should we not rejoice at the story of the Splitting of the Sea and the Divine rescue of Bnei Yisrael from Pharaoh and his troops? The familiar notions must be re-examined.
The Splitting of the Sea and Moshe's 'Superfluous' Prayers
Rabbi David Silverberg
Ramban on Beshallach: Tze'aka - Crying Out
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 37 minutes
We will look at two different comments by Ramban on two different verses relating to the word “tza’ak” – to cry out. Bnei Yisrael were on the banks of the sea, on the cusp of freedom, when they saw Egyptians chasing them. Fearful, they cried out. What does “cry out” mean here, though?

There seems to be a contradiction. On the one hand, they are crying out to God – isn’t prayer a good thing? But on the other hand, they seem to accuse Moshe of leading them to the sea to die. What is going on here?

One possibility is that different groups had different reactions – different attitudes and different types of “cries.” Sadly, though, there can be a psychologically reality wherein people blame the person in the lower position. They may think “God is good, but his servant is messing things up.” That may be why the Torah emphasizes that, at the splitting of the Sea, the people “believed in God and in his servant, Moshe.”
Beshalach: What Does It Mean to Have Faith?
Rabbi David Fohrman |
After crossing the Sea of Reeds, the nation of Israel sings a song of thanksgiving - but curiously, Miriam then leads the women of the nation in a second song. Why? In this video, Rabbi Fohrman explores a famous midrash about the birth of Moses and explains what it means to truly have faith.

If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.
“By the way of the land of Pelishtim” vs. “By the way of the wilderness by the Yam Suf”
Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun
The first verse in Parashat Beshalach is very difficult to understand. In this shiur, we will suggest an explanation for why God chose not to lead the nation "by the way of the land of Pelishtim," instead leading them towards confrontation with Pharaoh at the Yam Suf.
Parshat Beshalach Part 2: The Break from Egypt and its Culture
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 27 minutes
This podcast describes the reasoning behind God’s great miracle of the splitting of the sea. Not only did it serve as a punishment for the Egyptians, but also helped prepare the Jewish Nation for their encounter with God at Mount Sinai by breaking their slave mentality and transforming their fear of the Egyptian master into awe of God.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Beshalach Part 3: Splitting the Sea
Dr. Yael Ziegler | 36 minutes
This podcast describes the miracle of the splitting of the sea, and also discusses the roles and purpose of the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Pesach Lesson Plan
Gila Chitiz
Lesson plan geared towards upper highschool level (11-12th grade) about the goals of the miracles surrounding the Exodus from Egypt. The lesson can be used as an independent study project or as a classroom lesson plan. The attached document contains the student copy; please see the accompanying teacher's guide for answers and additional notes.
Pesach Lesson Plan- Teacher's Guide
Gila Chitiz
Attached is the teacher's guide meant to accompany the Exodus lesson plan (please see other article in the series).
Parshat Korach Part 2: The Splitting of the Earth and the Splitting of the Sea
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 25 minutes
This podcast discusses the response of Korach’s camp to Moshe’s ketoret test, and compares the splitting of the earth to the splitting of the sea in Sefer Shemot.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
The one who jumps in and clears the path
Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky
Sefer Shemot: Archaeology
Nachliel Selavan | 38 minutes
This is an analysis of the Archaeology of the Sefer Shemot by Nachliel Selavan.

Archaeology Snapshot is a discussion on the location, timeline, main characters and highlights from history and archaeology, for each Sefer in Tanach.
"Who split apart the Sea of Reeds, His steadfast love is eternal" - Revelation and Human Endeavor at the Splitting of the Sea
Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg
תאריך פרסום: 2022 | | Hour and 5 minutes
In this lecture, we'll delve into a fascinating aspect of the nation's journey from Egypt. When they encountered the challenge of being trapped by the sea, they expressed frustration towards Moshe while simultaneously praying to God for rescue. As the narrative unfolds, we'll witness a transformation as the nation realizes the significance of transitioning from passivity to taking active measures during the miraculous event of the splitting of the sea.