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Beshalach - Moving Forward

 

Two of the fundamental tenets of Judaism are known by the terms emunah (faith, or belief) and bitahon (trust).

 

Much has been written about the precise meanings of these two words, and the difference between them.  For our purposes, it suffices to say that the story we read in the Torah over the last two weeks – the story of the ten plagues and Yetziat Mitzrayim – establishes the tenet of emunah, and the story told in this week's parashah – the splitting of the sea – establishes the tenet of bitahon.

 

The miraculous plagues in Egypt showed Hashem's exclusive and unlimited control over the universe.  It demonstrated that He governs the world without any constraints, without any other force being able to stop Him, and that He is constantly involved.  This is emunah – the core belief in Hashem as the Creator who exerts unlimited control over the earth.

 

At the sea, Beneh Yisrael were taught about bitahon – living with the trust that Hashem can solve problems that appear to have no solution.  Emunah is the theoretical belief in Hashem's power, and bitahon is the practical application of that belief, remaining calm and composed during difficult situations, trusting that Hashem is handling it for us.

 

Let us take a closer look at what happened at the shores of the Yam Suf to learn what living with bitahon means.

 

When Beneh Yisrael saw the Egyptians chasing after them, and they realized that they were trapped against the sea, ויצעקו בני ישראל אל ה' – they cried out to Hashem (14:10).  Rashi comments that this was the proper response, that Benei Yisrael were following the example of the avot (patriarchs), who likewise cried to Hashem during times of crisis.

 

But then Moshe Rabbenu turned to them and said, ה' ילחם לכם ואתם תחרישון – that they should remain silent while Hashem handles this for them (14:14).  After that, Hashem told Moshe to tell the people ויסעו – to move forward into the sea (14:15).

 

This is the prescription for us during times of hardship. 

 

First, ויצעקו – we should cry out.  It is ok to feel upset, to feel anxious, to feel frustrated, to feel pained.  We are supposed to feel these emotions, and not to try to suppress them.  And it's ok to cry – certainly to Hashem, but also to those whom we feel comfortable sharing our feelings with, or with a therapist if need be. 

 

At a certain point, however, תחרישון – we have to stop crying out, recognizing that ה' ילחם לכם – Hashem is handling this crisis for us, that we are in His hands.  We need to stay calm and place our trust in Hashem.

 

And then, most importantly, ויסעו – we need to move forward.  No matter what we're dealing with, we can't just give up, wallowing in our bitterness and resentment.  We need to go forward and do the best we can under the circumstances Hashem put us in. 

 

Three days after Beneh Yisrael crossed the sea, they arrived in a place where they found a water source, but they could not drink the water כי מרים הם – "because they were bitter," and so they called the place מרה – "bitter" (15:23).  The Rebbe of Kotzk suggested a fascinating reading of this pasuk.  He explained that it wasn't the waters that were bitter, but rather the people.  When people are "bitter," when they are angry and resentful, they can never quench their thirst, they can never find satisfaction, because everything they "taste" is bitter. 

 

We are all going to experience things that make us upset and get us down.  But bitterness never helped anyone.  The only way we help ourselves when things happen is ויסעו – by moving forward with the faith that Hashem is handling the problem.  We have to move on, doing the best we can, and trust that Hashem will do the rest. - Joey Haber

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https://itorah.com/weekly-inspire/moving-forward/15/30893