Parshat B'Shalach
by Rabbi Avi Billet
They traveled from the Sea of Reeds, and they went out to the Shur Wilderness, and they walked for three days in the wilderness and they did not find water. And they came to Marah, and they were unable to drink water from Marah, for they were bitter… (15:22-23)
Today we are going to ask two questions, leaving one unanswered, while learning a lesson from the second.
First: Where was the Yam Suf - Sea of Reeds – and the splitting of the sea (note how it’s not a ‘crossing of the sea’)?
Second: Is this the three day journey of which Moshe spoke?
The first question is wrought with controversy. Targum Yonatan notes the view that the sea split into twelve “lanes” to allow for each tribe to go through at the same time. With 3 million people going through the sea, this would maximize the efficiency while minimizing the amount of time it would take to get to the other side of the sea-walls.
Showing posts with label splitting of the sea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label splitting of the sea. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Friday, November 12, 2010
A Non Trivial Pursuit
This can be read in the Jewish Star
Parshat Vayetze
by Rabbi Avi Billet
Chapter 31 is a little long to reproduce here, but it is worth reading before proceeding. It is a quick read, as the plot moves along like a well-written suspense novel.
Yaakov senses that the warm and fuzzy feelings are long gone and that it is time to return home. G-d seconds the notion in one sentence, so Yaakov approaches his wives, sisters Rachel and Leah, and appeals to them using three essential points. Your father’s view of me has changed dramatically, G-d has watched over me and given me your father’s wealth (which I anticipated through a vision of an angel), and now G-d has told me to return home. (31:5-13)
Their response is to all three points: Our father treats us like strangers as well, his wealth belongs to us and our children (thanks to G-d), and whatever G-d has told you to do should be done. (31:14-16)
The family flees from Laban’s home, and we begin to see a series of interesting parallels to a different time and place when this family (albeit a much larger group) flees from their current abode where they have been working for a different kind of boss.
Parshat Vayetze
by Rabbi Avi Billet
Chapter 31 is a little long to reproduce here, but it is worth reading before proceeding. It is a quick read, as the plot moves along like a well-written suspense novel.
Yaakov senses that the warm and fuzzy feelings are long gone and that it is time to return home. G-d seconds the notion in one sentence, so Yaakov approaches his wives, sisters Rachel and Leah, and appeals to them using three essential points. Your father’s view of me has changed dramatically, G-d has watched over me and given me your father’s wealth (which I anticipated through a vision of an angel), and now G-d has told me to return home. (31:5-13)
Their response is to all three points: Our father treats us like strangers as well, his wealth belongs to us and our children (thanks to G-d), and whatever G-d has told you to do should be done. (31:14-16)
The family flees from Laban’s home, and we begin to see a series of interesting parallels to a different time and place when this family (albeit a much larger group) flees from their current abode where they have been working for a different kind of boss.
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