Rabbi’s Message

Rabbi Natan Halevy

Parashat Beshalach 5786, BSD

Shalom uvracha.

This week’s Parashah marks the pinnacle of our nation’s departure from Egypt. Pharaoh himself drove us out, overwhelmed by the finality of the last plague, finally conceding defeat. However, shortly after allowing Israel to leave, Pharaoh and the Egyptians regretted their decision. Egypt pursued us with its entire army, determined to force Israel back into slavery.

As the children of Israel stood at the Sea, they saw the Egyptian army closing in behind them. They were filled with overwhelming fear. Although they had been free from slavery for a year and had witnessed all the plagues that accompanied their liberation, a significant part of them was still bound to a slave mentality. It is not easy to shed an identity formed through prolonged subjugation, especially after so many years in Egypt.

There were differing opinions among the nation regarding how to respond. One faction wanted to commit suicide by jumping into the Sea. Another wished to return to Egypt and slavery. A third group wanted to fight the Egyptians. The final faction believed that prayer to G-d was the best option. Moshe addressed all these groups in a single verse:

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that He will perform for you today; for the way you have seen the Egyptians today, you shall never see them again. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall remain silent.”

Stand still—do not jump into the Sea! You will never see the Egyptians again after today, and you are not returning to Egypt and slavery! Hashem will fight for you; there is no need for you to fight them yourselves. Be silent—this is not a moment for prayer.

Then Hashem said to Moshe, “Speak to the children of Israel and tell them to travel onward.”

Although Israel had already left Egypt, their true liberation did not occur until the splitting of the Sea. Hashem was pushing us forward—toward the Sea and away from Egypt and everything it represented.

This teaching is deeply relevant to our lives. “Pharaoh” and “Egypt” represent the forces within our psyche—and in the world around us—that seek to limit us and keep us enslaved. They symbolize whatever holds us back from elevation and liberation in our personal growth and spiritual development.

We all face challenges and struggles; this is part of the human condition. One possible response to limitation is to escape the world entirely—to “jump into the sea of spirituality” in order to avoid confronting life’s difficulties. Some call this spiritual bypassing.

“Why engage with this world and its challenges if it is so difficult?” This person may abandon responsibility and engagement, even at great cost. Yet we know this is not a healthy or rational response. Avoidance does not resolve challenges; it merely postpones them. Problems we flee from remain unresolved and often grow larger when ignored.

Another response is resignation: “I will never overcome my struggles, so I might as well give in to them.” This is akin to returning to Egypt and slavery—surrendering to desire and limitation. We must never choose this path, because once we give up, the battle is already lost. This approach often leads to pain, guilt, and regret.

Some people choose to fight themselves and their struggles relentlessly. They experience life as a constant war and relate to the world antagonistically. While struggle is unavoidable, this approach is exhausting and unsustainable. We achieve far more through a peaceful, compassionate stance. We must face our challenges, but we must do so with understanding and kindness—toward ourselves and others.

Finally, some rely entirely on prayer, leaving everything in G-d’s hands. While Hashem certainly desires our prayers, He also wants our effort. The Torah teaches, “Hashem your G-d will bless you in all that you do.” Blessing flows when we take responsibility and act, while simultaneously recognizing that all success ultimately comes from Him.

We are partners with Hashem in this world. Striking this harmonious balance is a deeply personal task. No two people are alike, and each of us faces unique challenges meant specifically for us.

We must work within the confines of physical reality and acknowledge that the challenges placed before us are tailored for our growth. Their very presence is evidence that we are capable of overcoming and refining them. When we do so, we bring greater peace and clarity not only into our own lives, but into the lives of all those connected to us. This is where true human growth occurs.

May we be blessed with clarity and abundant peace in our lives. Amen.