2020/5780
Parashat BeShalach, records the climax of the Exodus from Egypt, Keriat Yam Suf. After having told Pharoah that they were only leaving Egypt for a three day holiday in the desert, the Jews fail to return after three days. Instead, as Hashem had planned, the Jewish people continued traveling through the desert. Hashem tells Moshe that he plans to guide the Jews to the Yam Suf where Pharoah, upon believing that the Jews are trapped, will chase after them leading to a final glorifying moment where Hashem’s presence will be truly known to Egypt. The pasuk ends with the phrase, “VaYa’asu Chein”, “And they did so” (Shemot 14:4). Rashi here comments that Moshe told the Jews this plan and they listened to it without fearing the Egyptians (14:4 s.v. VaYa’asu Chein). With this understanding in mind, it is extremely puzzling that when the Egyptians arrive behind the Jews at the Yam Suf, the Jews cry out to Hashem and Moshe Rabbeinu asking, “HaMibeli Ein Kevareim BeMitzrayim LeKachtanu Lamut BaMidbar, Mah Zot Asitah Lanu Lehotzianu MiMitzrayim”, “Were there no graves left in Egypt that you took us out to die in the desert, what is this that you have done to us that you took us out of Egypt”(Shemot 4:11).
The Ramban, 4:10-12 s.v. VaYiru Miod, answers that when the Jews were faced with the threat of the Egyptians behind them, two groups among the Jews reacted differently: One group maintained their faith in Hashem and started davening for their salvation. These people never lost faith in Hashem and never turned on Moshe Rabbeinu to question why they were taken out of Egypt. However, the second group attacks Moshe for even giving them the opportunity for salvation. Thus, when Hashem does save the Jews from the Egyptians, the Torah states, “VaYa’aminu BaHashem U’VMoshe Avdo”, “They believed in Hashem and Moshe his servant” (Shemot 14:31) because before Keriat Yam Suf, many of the Jews did not trust that Hashem would save them. The Ramban further offers a second explanation for the Jews’ fear. The Jews continued to believe in Hashem even when confronted by the Egyptians, however, their faith in Moshe as Hashem’s messenger waivered. They said that if Hashem really wanted to free the Jews, he would not have allowed the Egyptians to reach them.
In contrast to the Ramban’s approaches, the Ibn Ezra, 14:13 s.v. Hityatzevu, answers that the Jews’ fear stemmed from their feeling of inferiority. Even though the Jewish camp greatly outnumbered the approaching Egyptians, the Jews had just been taken out of an Egyptian slavery which had lasted generations. This generation of Jews had only known the Egyptians as their masters, so how could they even think to overcome them. Furthermore, the Jews had been taught to fear others, and this fear manifests itself once again at the end of the Parasha during the Jews’ fight with Amalek. Amalek came with even fewer soldiers than the Egyptians, yet without Moshe Rabbeinu’s prayers, the Jews would have been defeated.
Ultimately, we must all strive to further our faith and trust in Hashem in our daily lives. As is seen throughout this week’s Parasha, even after the miracles of Egypt and Keriat Yam Suf, the Jews still fail to trust in Hashem to the fullest extent. May we all continue to grow in this area and trust that Hashem always has our best interests at heart and He will always help us.