‘As you have seen Egypt today, so you shall never see them again’. This is Moses’ promise to his frightened people standing at the shores of the Red Sea with the Egyptians bearing down on them. The Rabbis saw in this statement a mitzvah, connected to the mitzvah found in Deuteronomy not to return to Egypt. Yet the simple meaning of this promise is a psychological one. How the Jews perceive the Egyptians would change forever. This interpretation is strengthened by the fact that the word used is not Egyptians but Egypt. The same is true a few verses before where it is stated that the people were afraid when they say Egypt chasing after them. What is meant is not the mere sight of the physical Egyptians but the psychological effect of appearance of their former masters have on their ex-slaves. It is thus that Moses promises them that today everything will change. They will, after the events of that day, never look at the Egyptians in the same way again. This episode thus teaches us the importance of perception in human relationships. How we perceive others and how they regard us can have major effects on history. It is clear, for example, that the Holocaust had a major impact on how we perceive the Western world. It also changed the perceptions of that world about its own future, with scientific progress, for example, being seen as also a great danger, not only a blessing. The creation of the State of Israel changed perceptions of Jews in the eyes of others and in many ways changed our understanding of ourselves. These examples, and many others, demonstrate the importance of not only what we do, but how we are seen. In this light, during the week of HMD, it is instructive to examine how the plethora of publicity surrounding the Holocaust in the last two decades have effected the perceptions of Jews. Many would argue that this public awareness of the events of the Shoah is both necessary and welcome. Yet when one can look in the Judaism section of a library or bookshop and see more books on the Holocaust than on any other topic, serious questions can be asked. Are Jews in danger of becoming like the Armenians, only remembered for being killed? Furthermore, does some of the double standard applied to Israel arise out of a view of the Jews as victims, for whom it is in some way morally repugnant to fight back? Judaism has so much more to teach the world. If because of an over emphasis on the Holocaust people only perceive us as Hitler’s victims, is this not handing him his greatest victory?
ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS
Rishon |
Pharaoh changes his mind and pursues the Israelites, who are trapped by the Reed Sea. |
Sheni |
Moses quietens the frightened people. |
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Shelishi |
G-d splits the sea to allow the Israelites to cross. |
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Revi’i |
The Egyptians follow and are drowned as the sea returns. Moses and Israel sign a song of triumph. |
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Chamishi |
The people complain of lack of food, so G-d gives them Manna and quails. |
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Shishi |
The people are taught about Shabbat through the Manna but take time to learn. |
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Shevi’i |
The people complain about water, so Moses hits a rock. Amalek attacks and is annihilated. |
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Haftorah |
Judges: 4;4-5;31: the defeat of the Hatzor and Deborah’s song of triumph. |
Sidra Statistics
Parshat Beshalach
· has 116 verses ;
· is the 4th in Exodus, 16th in the Torah
· 6th longest in Exodus, 23rd longest in the Torah
· has 1 neg mitzvah.
