B'shalah Commentary

A creative interpretation yields a valuable lesson about the vital importance of Torah to the Jewish people.

Moses leads the Israelites into the wilderness after their escape from Egypt. God sends manna to feed them and Amalek attacks the Israelites.

Exodus 13:17-17:16

Despite the fear and exhaustion of journeying from a dark, narrow place, we must remember to accompany our arrivals with song and joy.

The images of the angel of God and the pillar of cloud accompanying the Israelites in the desert raise questions about effective leadership.

The transformation into a sacred people occurs not through miracles but rather through steady education, discipline and communal reinforcement.

The glorification of God in the Song at the Sea provides us with several models of attaining spirituality.

The image of God as a nurturer, working with people to bring forth food, allows us to move beyond the violence of the Red Sea crossing.

The manna tested the character of the newly freed Israelites.