Parashat Beshalach — When he sent (them) away

בְּשַׁלַּח

Torah portion 16 of 54 · Book of Exodus · pronounced beh-shah-LAKH

Beshalach (בְּשַׁלַּח) means "when he sent (them) away" — taken, as every parashah name is, from the portion's opening words in the Hebrew.

Next read: January 23, 2027 · then February 12, 2028

The Readings

What Happens in Beshalach

When Pharaoh lets the people go, God does not lead them by the short way of the Philistines, lest they see war and return to Egypt; He turns them toward the wilderness of the Sea of Reeds — and Moshe carries the bones of Yosef, keeping a four-hundred-year-old oath. YHVH Himself goes before them, a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, never departing. Then He deliberately positions Israel where they look trapped, so that Pharaoh will pursue: I will be honored over Pharaoh and all his army. The chariots come, the people see, and terror finds its voice — were there no graves in Egypt? Moshe's answer becomes the watchword of every hemmed-in believer: do not fear; stand still, and see the salvation of YHVH... YHVH will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. And God's counter-word: why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Yisrael to go forward.

The pillar moves behind them, darkness to Egypt and light to Israel; Moshe stretches out his hand, a strong east wind drives the sea back all night, and Israel walks on dry ground between walls of water. Egypt follows into the midst — and in the morning watch YHVH looks down through the pillar, clogs their chariot wheels, and the sea returns upon horse and rider. Israel sees Egypt dead on the shore, fears YHVH, and believes; and Moshe and the people sing the Song of the Sea: YHVH is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation... who is like You, YHVH, among the gods? Miryam the prophetess answers with timbrel and dance, and the song ends where the Torah's hope always ends: YHVH shall reign forever and ever.

Three days later the schooling begins. At Marah the water is bitter until YHVH shows Moshe a tree to cast in, and there He gives the covenant of healing: I am YHVH who heals you. At Elim, twelve springs and seventy palms. In the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation grumbles for the pots of meat, and heaven answers with bread: manna each morning, an omer per head, breeding worms if hoarded — except on the sixth day, when a double portion keeps fresh for the Shabbat, the first Shabbat command in the Torah, given through bread before it is spoken from Sinai. Quail covers the camp at evening; a jar of manna is laid up before the Testimony for the generations. At Refidim the people quarrel for water until Moshe strikes the rock at Horev and water flows — Massah and Merivah, testing and quarreling: is YHVH among us, or not? Then Amalek attacks the weary stragglers. Yehoshua fights in the valley while Moshe holds up the staff on the hill, Aharon and Chur steadying his heavy hands until sunset, and Amalek is defeated. YHVH swears war with Amalek from generation to generation, and Moshe builds an altar: YHVH-Nissi, YHVH my banner.

Main Themes

Salvation that Israel only has to stand and watch The Song of the Sea — worship on the far shore Daily bread and Shabbat rhythm taught by manna Testing at the waters — will they trust? Amalek and the lifted hands of intercession

Key Events

· The pillar of cloud and fire

· The crossing of the Sea of Reeds

· The Song of the Sea; Miryam's dance

· Marah and Elim

· Manna and quail; the Shabbat double portion

· Water from the rock; the battle with Amalek

Key People

Moshe Miryam Aharon Chur Yehoshua (Joshua) Pharaoh Amalek

Key Verses

← Parashat Bo  ·  Parashat Yitro →

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