Commentary - Beshallach

Parshat Beshallach might be called "Days of Whine and Moses." The Israelites' behavior in Beshallach is an embarrassment, a shonda, as my mother would say in Yiddish. After experiencing God's protection from Ten devastating Plagues, after escaping from slavery to freedom under the leadership of Moses who communicated directly with God, the Israelites had the chutspah to whine and grumble about their plight as they began their journey in the wilderness. The parting of the Red Sea - it wasn't enough. Instantly turning bitter water to sweet - it wasn't enough. An abundance of quail and manna raining down - you guessed it! These people didn't know from "Dayenu."

Why does the Torah portray the Israelites in such a negative way? Commentators offer various interpretations, but, as a parent, the answer appears to me to be that the Israelites were like little kids. In Egypt, mean daddy Pharaoh made them work hard, but also fed them and took care of them after a fashion. Now they were on their own in a vast wilderness with a deity and a leader whom they had yet to really believe in or trust. The Plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the Manna - all the wonders which so awe us as a "mature" Jewish People, didn't comfort or satisfy the ancient Israelites. Think back. As children, how often did we show our appreciation to our parents for meeting our needs and satisfying our wants. Was it ever enough?

There is a wonderful midrash about two Israelites who were so busy complaining about the mud on their feet, that they didn't notice that God had parted the Red Sea for them, even as they walked through the walls of water to the other side.

In his translation and commentary, The Five Books of Moses, scholar Everett Fox captures the Israelites' anger, frustration, and distrust as they realize that Pharaoh's army is pursuing them:

"As Pharaoh drew near, the Children of Israel lifted up their eyes:
Here, Egypt marching after them!
They were exceedingly afraid.
And the Children of Israel cried out to YHWH,
they said to Moshe:
Is it because there are no graves in Egypt
that you have taken us out to die in the wilderness?
What is this that you have done to us , bringing us out of Egypt!
Is this not the very word that we spoke to you in Egypt,
saying:Let us alone, that we may serve Egypt!
Indeed, better for us serving Egypt
than our dying in the wilderness!"
(Exodus 14:10-12)

It's tempting to shake our heads at the Children of Israel's behavior and ask, "What is wrong with these people?" But in the Divine Immediacy of Torah time, we are "these people." Moses led us from slavery to freedom!

And after thousands of years of freedom, are we that much wiser and more "grown-up" than the Children of Israel? Like the two Israelites with the muddy feet, we often fail to look around and appreciate "Everyday Miracles" - miracles of birth, miracles of healing, miracles of creative vision and ability, miracles of resiliency and renewal.

Beshallach portrays the Israelites as far more human than heroic. Torah, eternally relevant, portrays us as we were and as we are - with all of our human faults and blemishes. In this way we repeatedly learn that flawed as we are, God is always with us - guiding, strengthening, encouraging, at times, even threatening - just like a parent. Now, that's a Miracle!

Shabbat Shalom Rest and Renew