Perashat Beshalah 5776
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Perashat Beshalah 5776
Friday, January 22, 2016King Solomon in Kohelet – Ecclesiastes, declared that there is time for everything; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to build and a time to destroy, a time to plant and a time to sow. This does not mean that a person will have the time to do everything, but that there will always be an appropriate time to do, and actualize our wishes. When taken very literally however, a person runs the risk of believing that everything is dependent on themselves; as long as a person has the time to achieve it! The lesson in life here, then is, that after a long life, what we have achieved is, in the words of our Sages, “only half of what we set to achieve.”
Two episodes found in Perashat Beshalah, demonstrate these two sides of the same coin. As the Israelites reached the Sea of Reeds, they found themselves surrounded to their right and left by an unforgiving desert, as well as from behind by a vindictive Egyptian army lead by Pharaoh himself. The Israelites, fearing for their lives, and believing that they would perish and be buried there, admonished Moshe by telling him, “Aren’t there enough burial plots in Egypt that you brought us to die in the wilderness?” Moshe immediately begins his supplications to G-d for a resolution. The A-mighty responds by telling Moshe, “Why do you cry out to Me? Speak to the Children of Israel and let them journey forth!” Our Sages comment on G-d’s response, by saying that G-d was telling Moshe that this was not the time to pray. In other words, there is a time to pray and a time to act, but apparently this was the time to act…but not the time to pray!
Our Sages inform us that the miracle of the splitting of the Sea of Reeds was a difficult one; more difficult than even the creation of the world itself. Is there really anything difficult for G-d? He is Omnipotent and can do everything and anything! Yet, we are told that it was difficult - not because it is against any law of physics or the property of water - but because the entire miracle was dependent on human intervention. Without the human initiative to enter the waters as Nahshon (the Chieftain of the Tribe of Judah) did, the miracle could not have occurred. The A-mighty created this necessity as a condition for the miracle to occur.
In contradistinction to the miracle of the Sea, the second episode; the giving of the Manna – the Food from heaven, required only prayer, and not much action. The Israelites were told that all they needed to do was to go out every weekday and collect it; that was the only action required. However, when they went out on Shabbat to collect it against Moshe’s instructions, they did not find it; action alone was not sufficient - G-d’s blessing was the prerequisite.
Just like the miracle of the Manna, there are many other situations like Parnasa – sustenance, marriage, and almost all human endeavors where human action is necessary. A person has to take the time to do, to act and to perform in order for G-d’s blessings and miracles to occur. A time of prayer is a prerequisite, however a time of action must follow suit.
Unfortunately, human arrogance and pride lead a person to think and believe that his or her actions are what brought them all of their accomplishments. If not for what G-d had sent their way, nothing they would have done would have amounted to anything. As we sing the Shirat Hayam – the Song of the Sea, let us offer our gratitude to G-d for all of His blessings - for it is His blessings that are the prerequisite for all of our achievements.
Two episodes found in Perashat Beshalah, demonstrate these two sides of the same coin. As the Israelites reached the Sea of Reeds, they found themselves surrounded to their right and left by an unforgiving desert, as well as from behind by a vindictive Egyptian army lead by Pharaoh himself. The Israelites, fearing for their lives, and believing that they would perish and be buried there, admonished Moshe by telling him, “Aren’t there enough burial plots in Egypt that you brought us to die in the wilderness?” Moshe immediately begins his supplications to G-d for a resolution. The A-mighty responds by telling Moshe, “Why do you cry out to Me? Speak to the Children of Israel and let them journey forth!” Our Sages comment on G-d’s response, by saying that G-d was telling Moshe that this was not the time to pray. In other words, there is a time to pray and a time to act, but apparently this was the time to act…but not the time to pray!
Our Sages inform us that the miracle of the splitting of the Sea of Reeds was a difficult one; more difficult than even the creation of the world itself. Is there really anything difficult for G-d? He is Omnipotent and can do everything and anything! Yet, we are told that it was difficult - not because it is against any law of physics or the property of water - but because the entire miracle was dependent on human intervention. Without the human initiative to enter the waters as Nahshon (the Chieftain of the Tribe of Judah) did, the miracle could not have occurred. The A-mighty created this necessity as a condition for the miracle to occur.
In contradistinction to the miracle of the Sea, the second episode; the giving of the Manna – the Food from heaven, required only prayer, and not much action. The Israelites were told that all they needed to do was to go out every weekday and collect it; that was the only action required. However, when they went out on Shabbat to collect it against Moshe’s instructions, they did not find it; action alone was not sufficient - G-d’s blessing was the prerequisite.
Just like the miracle of the Manna, there are many other situations like Parnasa – sustenance, marriage, and almost all human endeavors where human action is necessary. A person has to take the time to do, to act and to perform in order for G-d’s blessings and miracles to occur. A time of prayer is a prerequisite, however a time of action must follow suit.
Unfortunately, human arrogance and pride lead a person to think and believe that his or her actions are what brought them all of their accomplishments. If not for what G-d had sent their way, nothing they would have done would have amounted to anything. As we sing the Shirat Hayam – the Song of the Sea, let us offer our gratitude to G-d for all of His blessings - for it is His blessings that are the prerequisite for all of our achievements.
Jan 2 2025
Tebet 2 5785