Making Miracles: Beshallach

By Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman

January 31, 2023

Miracles and wonders about in this week’s Torah portion, Beshallach (“At the Time of Setting Free,” Exodus 13:17—17:16). 

First and foremost is the parting of the Red Sea. The image is forceful and eternal, representing God’s power over water and earth, life and death. It is both a moment in history and also symbolic of the survival of the Jewish People through the thousands of years of its existence, overcoming oppression, hatred and bigotry. It has always represented the touchstone of the Jewish faith in a redeeming God.

But faith—even in the face of such miracles—is fickle; doubt pierces faith and often causes it to shatter. And when that happens, trust has to be rebuilt—a long and difficult process. 

There are those for whom faith is, at best, a treacherous path. The conflict between faith and reality causes many of us to become skeptical. We tend to see miracles as no more than fairy tales. Survival and success are attributed to coincidence and luck as much as hard work and cunning. God’s hand becomes obscured by human blood, sweat and tears.

The early rabbis recognized this all-too-human tendency and, to some extent, vindicated it. In explaining the marvel of the parting of the Red Sea, they added a human component to the story. As the Torah describes it, the Sea parts as a result of the partnership between God and Moses: God causes a strong easterly wind to rise just as Moses holds his staff over the waters. In the Midrash, the Rabbis spend considerable time to also relate the fear and doubt of the Israelites, even at that awesome moment. Overcoming this reaction called for an act so heroic that it would set an example for everyone. And so the Rabbis told of the courageous deed of one individual: Nahshon Ben Aminadav. Leader of the tribe of Judah, Nahshon—whether because of despair or hope—leaps into the swirling water. It was at that exact moment, say the Rabbis, that the Sea parted. It was this combined effort—the power of God, the inspiration of Moses and the courage of Nahshon—that combined to make the miracle happen.

In survival, teach the Rabbis, the human component must always be there. We cannot depend on marvels and miracles alone. Much is up to our individual as well as community effort.  

Trust is no simple matter. It has to grow and develop over time. When it is shattered, as all too often happens, it needs to be rebuilt step by step. In Beshallach, as the Israelites begin their journey through the Wilderness, brutal enemies as well as the lack of food and water will challenge the emerging relationship between God and the Israelites. At first, the needs will be seen to by God and Moses. Water will gush from the rock; manna will mysteriously appear each and every morning. God will fight Israel’s battles with its enemies. And with each ensuing challenge and battle, the Israelites grow more confident and stronger, and so does our trust in God.

That’s what makes the parting of the Red Sea an eternal symbol: We believe that God does intervene in nature and history. Our faith in God’s redeeming power is at the heart of our faith. But so is the teaching of Moses—the Torah—which continues inspiring us, giving us direction and purpose. But in the end, this miracle also involves our participation. It is up to each of us to add our effort to the combined thrust of our people. When we overcome our fears and doubts, when we—like Nahshon Ben Aminadav—take the first step forward, we find that miracles can, and do, indeed happen. 

© 2023 by Boaz D. Heilman