| When Pharoh sent the People away, G-d did not lead them through the land of the Philistines though it was close by, in order to prevent the People from seeing war and want to return to Egypt. | Vayehi beshalach Par’oh et ha’am ve-lo nakham El’kim derech eretz plishtim, ki karov hu, ki amar El’kim pein yinakeim ha’am bir’otam milkhama ushavu Mitzraima. | וַיְהִי בְּשַׁלַּח פַּרְעֹה אֶת־הָעָם וְלֹא־נָחָם הִ’ דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּים כִּי קָרוֹב הוּא כִּי אָמַר הִ’ פֶּן־יִנָּחֵם הָעָם בִּרְאֹתָם מִלְחָמָה וְשָׁבוּ מִצְרָיְמָה׃ |
Pillar of Smoke and Pillar of Fire
(photo and instructions to be updated shortly)
Walking through the Parted Sea
Torah Thoughts
Parashat Beshalach marks the end of our bondage and the beginning of our peoplehood. We follow G-d, who reassures us His constant presence with a pillar of smoke by day, and a pillar of fire by night. We then cross the Red Sea into the freedom of the wilderness. Miriam and the women of Israel sing with joy!
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