Chol Hamoed Pesach

Our Protector

Look at that Mitzri; he sank straight to he bottom of the Yam Suf like a piece of lead. He drowned instantly."

"I recognize him. He was my taskmaster, and he treated me fairly decently. That other one is not having it so easy. He is going down slower, like a stone."

"He was not so good to the Jews, but there were worse ones than him. Look at that one over there."

"He is going up and down over and over again like a piece of straw. He is choking, gagging and struggling, not drowning so fast. He was very cruel to the slaves. Look at how Hashem is punishing him."*

Kinderlach . . .

The verse states: "Hashem will make war for you, and you will remain silent" (Shemos 14:14). The Mechilta comments that Hashem's fighting was not limited to that one time. Rather, throughout history, He has waged war against our enemies. The Meshech Chochmah explains that Hashem was forced (so to speak) to fight here for two reasons. Firstly, the Jewish people did teshuva. Secondly, they had a claim against Him, 'Why did You take us out of Mitzrayim to die here in the wilderness?' Kinderlach, even if we do not have such a claim today, Hashem in His Infinite Kindness will continue to fight for us. In all our battles, large and small, we have the #1 Ally on our side. He is the Universe's One and Only Superpower - The Almighty, King of Kings. Do His Will and He will fight for you, just like He did at Kriyas Yam Suf.

*(Based on Rashi - Shemos 15:5.)

Renew Your Loyalty

The Jewish people witnessed awesome miracles at the Red Sea. The water split like a piece of chopped wood, the seabed dried out, and twelve tunnels formed into shape for each of the twelve tribes. Each tunnel had a sapphire- like finish to the walls, and marble-like floors. There was plentiful food and drink for the weary Jewish travelers.

The Mitzrim were foolish enough to follow the Jewish people into the sea, and they met their ultimate fate there. They were punished for all the evil they had dealt our nation. Our ancestors saw them washed up in the waves-broken, battered and dead. What was the reaction of the Jewish people to these mind- boggling miracles?

The first blessing after Kriyas Shema in the evening prayers describes the Kriyas Yam Suf, then states, "Moshe and the Children of Israel willingly accepted Your Kingship with abundant happiness and sang Shira (a song of praise to Hashem)." The Shira itself states, "Hashem will rule for ever and ever." These incredible miracles inspired our nation to renew their loyalty to Hashem and His Torah.

Kinderlach . . .

How many times a day do we speak about Kriyas Yam Suf? We say the Shiras HaYam every morning in Pesukei Di'zimra. We mention Kriyas Yam Suf three times in the blessing after the morning Kriyas Shema, and twice in the blessing after the evening Kriyas Shema. Yetzias Mitzrayim is mentioned even more - in the third paragraph of Kriyas Shema, in the Bircat Ha'mazone, and in the Kiddush. Kinderlach, these are all reminders of the awesome miracles that Hashem showered upon us, in His great love for us. Use them as an opportunity to show your love and appreciation to The Almighty. Renew your loyalty to Him! How close you will become to Him! How your relationship will grow!

Kinder Torah Copyright 2011 All rights reserved to the author Simcha Groffman

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