Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

Download print

Pesah: G-d’s Promise at the Shores of the Yam Suf

As Beneh Yisrael found themselves trapped against the Yam Suf by the pursuing Egyptian army, having nowhere to escape, Moshe assured them that they had nothing to fear. He said, "G-d shall wage war for you, while you remain silent" ("Hashem Yilahem Lachem Ve’atem Taharishun" – Shemot 14:14).

The Mechilta (a Midrashic text on Sefer Shemot) explains this to mean that G-d will always "wage war" for us, that He will always assist us. G-d’s promise at the shores of the Yam Suf referred not only to the crisis Beneh Yisrael faced at that moment, but also to future crises they would face throughout their history.

What message is the Mechilta trying to convey to us? Why is it important for us to know that this promise was made for all future generations?

Rav Meir Simcha Ha’kohen of Dvinsk (1843-1926), in his Meshech Hochma, explains that at the shores of the Yam Suf, Beneh Yisrael expressed a legitimate "argument," so-to-speak, as they cried for help. We read several verses earlier that they said to Moshe, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the desert?" (14:11). They argued that it would be senseless for them to have left Egypt only to die a week later by the sword of the Egyptian army. This was a very reasonable claim, and so they were saved. The point that our Sages are making in the Mechilta is that G-d promised to come to our side and assist us even when "Taharishun" – when we are silent, meaning, when we do not have compelling claims. Even at times when we are not necessarily deserving of G-d’s assistance, when our mouths are "silent," having no words with which to defend ourselves, G-d will still hear our prayers and help us.

The promise made to our forefathers at the shores of Yam Suf is thus as relevant and important today as it was then. We are guaranteed that Hashem lends us His ear and lovingly hears our cries and our pleas under all circumstances, even if we have failed and are unworthy of His help. We are His children and treasured nation, and therefore He welcomes our prayers and eagerly waits for us to turn to Him whenever we need His assistance, even if we do not deem ourselves worthy of it.


Related Parasha
Parashat Ahare Mot- Planting Our Spiritual Trees - 2023 Year
Kedoshim- The Reward for Honoring Parents - 2022 Year
Parashat Ahareh Mot- Feeling Hashem’s Presence - 2022 Year
Shevi'i Shel Pesah- Achieving True Freedom - 2022 Year
Pesah: Remembering the Root Cause of the Egyptian Exile - 2022 Year
Parashat Ahare Mot/Kedoshim: Keeping Hashem’s Presence Among Us - 2021 Year
Parashat Kedoshim: Complementing One Another - 2020 Year
Parashat Kedoshim- Understanding the Three Years of Orla - 2019 Year
The Hafetz Haim’s Theory of Relativity - 2019 Year
The “Intoxication” of the Seder - 2019 Year
Kedoshim: Kedusha – A Group Effort - 2018 Year
Parashat Kedoshim: The Right Way to Criticize - 2017 Year
Parashat Kedoshim: Modern-Day Idolatry - 2016 Year
Parashat Ahareh-Mot: The Impact of Our Actions - 2016 Year
Pesah- Reward for a Kiddush Hashem - 2016 Year
Parashat Kedoshim: Giving Criticism - 2015 Year
Parashat Kedoshim: What Does “Holy” Mean? - 2014 Year
Parashat Ahare Mot- The Lesson of the White and Gold Garments - 2014 Year
Parashat Kedoshim: Paying Workers on Time - 2013 Year
Parashat Kedoshim- Parenting and Holiness - 2011 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Pesah - 2011 Year
Sefer/Parasha:
Parashat Tazria: The Self-Destructive Power of Arrogance
Parashat Shemini: The Lesson of the Para Aduma
Parashat Sav- Accepting Criticism
Shabbat Zachor: Celebrating the Belief in Providence
Parashat Pekudeh: Empowering the Spirit to Subdue the Body
Parashat Vayakhel: The Precious Value of a Torah Home
Parashat Ki Tisa: Preserving the Eternal Bond
Parashat Tesaveh: Moshe and Noah
Parashat Termua: The Influence of Our Surroundings
Parashat Mishpatim: Humility and Scholarship
Parashat Yitro: Accepting the Torah She’be’al Peh
Parashat Beshalah: No Effort Goes Unrewarded
Parashat Bo: The Plagues of Hail and Locusts
Parashat Vaera: The Ten Plagues and Creation
Parashat Shemot: The Spoils of Egypt
1002 Parashot found