Parashat Beshallah

In Parasht Beshallaḥ and Parashat Yitro, two pivotal events in the Jewish journey, the splitting of the Red Sea and the giving of the Torah, set the stage for a profound spiritual transformation. The splitting of the sea is not only the culmination of the miracles leading up to the Exodus but also a revelation of what the future holds. It is marked as a moment when the natural world is transformed,demonstrating that the laws of reality can be bent at God’s will. This miracle, where the sea becomes dry land, shatters the fixed perception of nature, showing the People of Israel that the world is governed not by immutable laws but by the will of the Divine. It is a transformative experience, as even the babes in their mothers' wombs are said to have sung in awe at the spectacle (Berakhot 50a), indicating its profound spiritual impact.

However, for the ordinary Jew, the transition from the miraculous to the mundane is the true test. After the ecstatic song of the sea, the people are forced to move forward into the wilderness, their minds still reeling from the miracle. The sudden shift from an otherworldly reality to the harshness of the wilderness challenges their understanding of their existence. They had witnessed the impossible, but now must navigate a world that returns to its natural order. This transition, marked by the bitterness of Mara and the mystery of the manna, forces the People of Israel to grapple with the reality of living in a world that alternates between the miraculous and the ordinary. The manna, though miraculous, eventually becomes a routine part of their daily lives, symbolizing how even the most wondrous of experiences can fade into the mundane.

Ultimately, the experience of miracles does not guarantee spiritual growth or steadfastness. While the Jewish people were sustained by miraculous bread from heaven, they still fell prey to doubt and rebellion, exemplified by the sin of the Golden Calf. The true test of faith lies not in the presence of miracles, but in the capacity to remain faithful and continue to grow spiritually despite the ebb and flow of extraordinary events. Human nature, as expressed through free will, remains unchanged by external forces such as miracles. Instead, it is through inner transformation, guided by the use of one’s free will, that true spiritual growth occurs. This is the essence of the challenge faced by the People of Israel and by every individual: the ability to choose to draw closer to God, even in the absence of constant miracles.



Questions to Contemplate

What does the experience of the Israelites in transitioning from the awe of the Red Sea miracle to the bitterness of Mara teach us about the challenge of maintaining spiritual mindfulness and gratitude in a world where even the most miraculous events can eventually feel commonplace?

How can we cultivate the resilience and awareness needed to navigate the emotional and spiritual highs and lows of life, ensuring that we don’t lose sight of meaning and purpose when the extraordinary fades into the ordinary?