Parasha Beshalach (בשלח) — Shemot 13:17 – 17:16. Read on Shabbat, January 23, 2027.
Summary of Parasha Beshalach
When Pharaoh lets the people go, G-d does not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, but through the wilderness. Moshe takes the bones of Yosef with him. G-d guides the people with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Pharaoh regrets his decision and pursues the Hebrews with his chariots. Trapped against the sea, the people are afraid; Moshe reassures them. At G-d’s command, he stretches out his hand: the sea splits, the children of Israel cross on dry land, then the waters return and engulf the Egyptian army. Moshe and the children of Israel sing the Song of the Sea, and Miriam, with the women, sings to the sound of timbrels. At Marah, the bitter waters are sweetened by a piece of wood that G-d shows Moshe. The people complain of hunger: G-d sends down the manna every morning and sends quail in the evening. A double portion falls on the eve of Shabbat, and nothing on the seventh day. At Rephidim, lacking water, Moshe strikes the rock at G-d’s command, and water gushes forth; the place is named Massah and Meribah. Amalek then attacks the people. Yehoshua fights, while Moshe stands at the top of the hill: as long as he raises his hands, Israel prevails. G-d commands that what Amalek did be remembered.
The Themes
- The crossing of the sea
- The manna and Shabbat
- The battle against Amalek
Rav Raphaël Benizri’s Lectures on Beshalach
Study booklets for each lecture: questions for the Shabbat table
A Question for the Shabbat Table
Right after the miracle of the sea, the people are already complaining: why do we so quickly forget the kindness we have received?
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Summary by the Pensées Juives editorial team. The Rav’s teachings are found in his lectures, linked above.