Safta Laya- Beshalach
Parsha Beshalach.
This week Bnei Yisrael are fleeing from the Egyptians and they find themselves between the sea and Mitzrim that are chasing them. They realise that there is nowhere to go- either back or walk into the sea. Moshe lifts his staff over the sea…nothing happens. The people look to Hashem to save them somehow. They show that they trust Hashem to perform miracles and get them across the sea. Then Nachshon ben Aminadav is the first person to walk into the water. He goes in until the water is up to his shoulders and suddenly the water splits completely and there is dry sand in front of them. The Midrash goes on to explain that the sea split into 12 paths, one for each of the tribes. Fruit bearing trees and fresh water fountains were provided so the Jews would enjoy nourishment while they crossed. The people really saw Hashem’s miracles with wonderment and awe.
And then, the Egyptians were pursuing them, and the walls of water came crashing down on the Egyptians and they drowned, and fell to the the bottom of the ocean like stones.
Bnei Yisrael reached the other side , saw the drowning of their enemies, as a direct manifestation of Hashem’s will. The saw Hashem’s hand and burst into song.
Shirat Hayam – The Song of the Sea.. (We say the ‘Song of the Sea everyday in our Tefillah, our prayers.) It is said that if we say Shirat Hayam with the proper intention and with great joy- it can bring blessing and forgiveness of our sins.
Miriam lead the song with drums, tambourines, singing ‘Az Yashir.’ The Talmud teaches ‘In the Merit of the righteous women… the Children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt.’ The women were confident that Hashem would perform miracles for the Jewish people, and so they prepared the drums to use to sing G-d’s praises.
Then began the big trek in the desert. How did they know which way to go? It is written that Hashem went before them by day in a Pillar of Cloud to lead them and at night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light ( Exodus 13;21). They travelled with Hashem’s guidance.
What did they eat? ‘At the evening you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread…and the children of Israel ate the Manna for forty years, until they came to the inhabited land'(Exodus; 16; 11).
What a story- what a drama- everything in it, the good guys, the bad guys chasing after them, the hero- Nachshon Aminadav, the bad guys drown- they are out of the way, the good guys complaining, …. and each time- Hashem comes to the rescue!
Fun Facts
Being a hero; We learn about Nachshon Ben Aminadav this week, -He sprang forward and jumped into the sea. As he entered it- the sea parted. His courage and willingness to walk into the unparted sea saved the Jewish people. How did he have the courage to do that? So many of us get ‘stuck’ when we are anxious, or afraid to do something and then we can’t move forward and get on with our lives. Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler offers an insight into how we can overcome feelings of anxiety and fear. He says that if we focus on improving ourselves, building up our own self image, and feel like we can reach our own potential, then we can transcend fear and worry and move forward. Yes, sometimes we need to take a risk, find the courage and strength deep down inside us and become our own hero to achieve our goal. Nachshon became an eternal symbol of courageous action for the Jewish people. The Talmud states that, following his example, future leaders of Israel would come from his tribe, the tribe of Judah.
Manna– What does Manna/ ‘Mun’ look like and taste like? Manna was the miraculous edible substance which G-d provided for the Israelites during their travels in the desert for 40 years. It is described as a ‘coriander’ seed in size, but white. It is said that Quinoa is the most similar description to the Manna – ‘the food of the angels’ as described in the Torah. Quinoa is an ancient grain/ leaf cultivated over 4000 years ago. It is rich in minerals, mangenese, phosphorus, calcium, iron, selenium, B vitamins, and Vit A and E and has very impressive health benefits. It takes on the taste of what it is cooked with, much like the manna, is said to have tasted like anything that was desired to taste like.
Fun Foods
Quinoa Salad; A cup of cooked Quinoa , small cubed vegetables of cucumber, red Bell pepper, red onions, parsley and chickpeas – tossed in lemon, olive oil salt and garlic dressing. OR Quinoa with Caramalized onions and pinenuts. (delicious hot dish)
Thinking about the sea, the waves, make your favorite Sweet or Savory Lokshen / Noodle Kugel- a dish that is a favorite for the whole family. Pasta Salad or stir fry vegetable strips are also great ways to intentionally think about the Parsha this week, and enjoy the taste!
Desserts – always the favorite-Make a cake (oblong shape)or cupcakes, (marble, carrot cake for brown color of the sand). Decorate with cream/ Riches whip ( can add a drop of blue coloring or not). Create ‘waves’ on the side of the cake ( using the back of a spoon) leaving a pathway in the middle. Make ‘blobs’ of cream in the middle of the pathway (optional to add sprinkles) that represents the people walking across the sea.
A treat for kids– Edible Pillar of Clouds and Pillar of Fire:
– Use Long Pretzel sticks or breadsticks for the pillars
– add marshmallows ( glue is icing sugar and water)
-stick the marshmallows onto the pretzel stick (leave it to set in the fridge)
-Use colored fruit rollups for the fire and wrap it around the pretzel stick.
Fun arts and craft activities
Create Pillars of Clouds and Pillars of Fire.– Long/ short toilet rolls, cotton wool balls, colored cellaphane or ‘fire’ colored napkins, glue.
Make a scene depicting the Crossing of the Sea:
Using materials of blue and brown for the dry land and sea, playmobile characters, blue masks for the waves, and more….
This is a great time to practice and bring out your creativity for your table decorations for the Pesach Seder ( 8 weeks to go!- Yikes!)
Making a tambourine or drum- homemade style (shopping diet during lockdown!)
Songs -Singing, appreciating song, to sing the praises and appreciate Hashem’s wonders and miracles. This week, try and bring song and music into your lives to lift your spirits during this dark time of Corona Lockdown.
Be creative this week, have fun, really imagine the richness of the images of Parsha Beshalach and bring them to your Shabbat Table.
Shabbat Shalom,
Safta Laya