Congregation Beth Shalom

Torah Portion: Be’shalach
Book of Exodus
Chaps. 13:17-17:16
February 3, 2012

One of the best known of the Midrashim (Jewish legends) relates to the Israelites crossing of the Red Sea and the subsequent drowning of the Egyptian pursuers.  In the Talmudic tractate Sanhedrin (39b), the following account is given:

“. . .The Holy One sat in judgment over the Egyptians in accord with the measure of justice and drowned them in the sea.  In that instant the ministering angels wished to utter song before the Holy One, but God rebuked them, saying, “The works of My hands are drowning in the sea, and you would utter song in My presence?!”

This simple teaching has come to define the Jewish response to the defeat of one’s enemies.  Jews do not gloat over, nor celebrate, military victories.  Case in point is the Book of Joshua.  The book chronicles the wars fought and won by the Israelites in taking the land of Canaan.  The written accounts are not pretty.  There is blood, gore, and violence.  What is noticeably absent is celebration.  The Canaanites, like the Egyptians, were creations of God.  Their loss is no less tragic than that of any other human being.  The war was necessary, but the loss of life was mourned, not cheered.

Given this ancient Midrash, and its recognition of the holiness of all living beings, the song Moses sang after crossing the Red Sea is troublesome.  This same song, referred to as the Shirat Ha’Yom/Song of the Sea, is read each day as part of the morning prayer service.  Contained within the song are the following verses:

“I will sing to the Lord, for God has triumphed gloriously; horse and driver He has hurled into the sea. . .Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; And the pick of his officers are drowned in the Sea of Reeds. . .You made Your wind blow, the sea covered them.  They sank like lead in the majestic waters.  Who is like You, O Lord, among the celestials; Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in splendor, working wonders! (Exo. 15:1-18).”

The song is a celebration of the defeat and destruction of the Egyptian army.  How is this justified in light of what we’ve learned?  Most rabbis explain that the redemption from Egypt was not complete until the purveyors of the Israelite slavery and servitude were punished.  For this reason, the verses praising the destruction of the Egyptian army appear as part of Moses’ song.  However, only the verses praising God are put to song in the synagogue service.  The other verses are merely read.  

Not a satisfying explanation?  Perhaps not, but it is a reminder that humankind (including Moses!) has not yet achieved perfection.  We still have work to do.  In the meantime,  we can begin by learning to celebrate “all” achievements, while mourning “all” losses.

Rabbi Howard Siegel