The Song of the Sea

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If I were able to work on the 7th day of Pesach (Passover), I would have posted this then.  But, that day is one of the days where work is proscribed.  So, this post was scheduled for today, the first day back to work after the holiday.

On the 7th day of Passover, the Jews were at the sea.  Pharaoh had decided that they really were not going for that three day holiday (you think?) and were really never coming back.  So, he decided to corral his troops (and chariots) and teach them a lesson.  (Of course, his spies had already reported that the Jews were “stuck” at the edge of the sea, so this was a great time to gain face with his people, who just were subjected to the ten plagues, and had to give away a great deal of their personal wealth.  (Again, who goes on a three day holiday and demands gold from his neighbors?)

And, just imagine if you were one of the 600,000 (?- that’s the number reported, but …) folks at the edge of the sea- men, women, and children- who can see the dust swarm approaching from Pharaoh and his chariots.  How scared would you be?

And, then, Moshe is instructed to lift his hands and his rod to signal the people that they will be crossing the sea.  Nachshon ben Aminadav, from the tribe of Yhuda (Judah) jumped into the sea and proceed to cross, believing in Hashem’s (the Supreme Being) promise.   And, as he did so, the Jews saw that the water was parting.   (There is a scientific explanation for this- from the sand bar that crosses the sea, to the winds that appear every 70 years or so, letting the sand bar appear and be usable to cross the water).   And, followed.  To the other side.  (Sorry, De Mille’s “Ten Commandments” doesn’t quite tell the facts.)

And, even if the winds had not stopped (you can read the account in the second book of the bible, Chapter 14) and the water returned- how easy do you think it would be for chariots to traverse through wet sand?  Well, the waters returned- and drowned the mass of the army.

And, Israel broke out in song.  There are not many songs in the bible.  This is one of them.  One that I was supposed to learn by heart in 4th grade. (Oops.  Rabbi Sofer was not pleased.)  But, I do know it now.  And, love its mellifluent verbiage and meter.

Think about it.  How would you react in a similar situation?  I can recall after life changing moments- being shot at, in airplane accidents, horrendous car crashes, after my PhD exams,  the concept of breaking into song and poetry.  (Thank you, Hashem, for that wonderful rainbow over Boston when I finished my exam- the only rainbow I ever saw in Cambridge.)

Here’s among the best translations- which matches the meter- I’ve read of the Song of the Sea…

I sing for Hashem,  victorious in glory:
The horse and the horseman  He hurled to the sea.
Hashem is my salvation,  my strength and my song.
This is my God,  this God I exalt.
My father’s God,  this God I extol:
Hashem the war-hero.
Hashem  is His name.

Pharaoh’s charioted army He thrust to the sea
Pharaoh’s choice captains  plunged in the reeded sea.
The abyss whelmed them under  And they sank to its depth like stone.

Your right hand, Hashem is majestic in might.
Your right hand, Hashem,  shattered the foe.
In ultimate splendor  You felled those who faced You.
You fired forth Your fury to combust them like straw.
At the gust of Your nostrils the waters were stacked,
The waves like risen dams stood solid.
The abyss congealed in the heart of the waters.

The foe yelled out ”I’ll pursue, I’ll subdue
I will share out the spoils,  my bloodlust will glut on them
I will bear my sword and my hand will maraud them.”

But You blew Your great gusts  and sea whelmed them under.
They plummeted like lead subdued by the waters.
Who is as You among the gods, Hashem?
Who is as You highest among holies?
Awe-bringer, hymn-hearer
Wreaker of wonders!

You stretched Your right hand and earth gulped them under,
You guided in Your faith the people You redeemed,
Guarding their road
To Your holy abode.

Then nations heard and quaked:
The Philistines throttled with anguish.
The chieftains of Edom panicked.
The tribes of Moab were in tremors
And terror melted the men of all Canaan.
Down upon them fell terror and horror;
By Your awesome brawn  they were dumbed as stone
While Your people passed through, O Hashem,
While Your chosen people passed through.

You brought them to plant them on the mount You bequeathed,
This ground You deemed Your dwelling, O Hashem
Your sanctum, O Lord which Your own hand founded.
All hail Lord Hashem
Now and evermore.

May the Supreme Being help guide you through your narrow straits…

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15 thoughts on “The Song of the Sea”

  1. Dear Roy,

    This is a beautiful post. I had no idea what to expect when I landed on it and I have finished it not only informed (having gone to Catholic school through to university, I’ve obviously hear versions of this story many many times and as an adult have wondered about what really happened) but also feeling peaceful and inspired. Thank-you.
    Hilarie recently posted..Financial management: how the story in your revenues can give you direction (part 3)

    1. Hashem means “the name”….We are not supposed to utter the name of the Supreme Being, which is where the concept of A-do-n-a-i derives. We do not know exactly how to pronounce the name of Hashem, but the written version has the same vowels as that name does…
      Thanks for the visit and the comment, Debi!

  2. I believe he does, Roy, I truly do. I do my best to make my life as much of a song in his praise as I can, and I learn more and more how to do that, thanks in part to you and the lessons He teaches. Wonderful post my friend. I’ve thought about how probably there were a few soiled loin clothes in that situation..between the devil and the deep blue sea, as the saying goes. I think we’ve all felt that on some level or another, and this post reminds us that He is always faithful even when we aren’t. <3
    Lisa recently posted..Yin And Yang by Lisa Brandel

    1. Chef William:
      I, too, am always seeking different things we can learn from the bible, from history, and from science. Melding all these into one philosophy helps us keep grounded.
      Thanks for the visit and comment.

  3. Roy,
    That’s quite a song! Thanks for writing it all out for us. How full of joy his heart must have been, at the visible reminder of a living and active God!
    Amy recently posted..About (sigh) Me

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