Beshalach - Swimming with Shechinah פרשת בשלח
בס״ד
In this weekend’s parsha we read about the Israelites crossing the sea to escape Pharaoh's army that has come to re-enslave them. In an interesting twist of irony, I am writing this entry while visiting an expo for liberation through literature. Perhaps the theme of the event has served as inspiration.
Before I dive in (Lol)... I must start with a disclaimer that the text has problematic elements. The mass murder of any group of people, Jewish or not, is untenable. I won’t attempt to justify this part of the pshat storyline, because I don’t have one and must hold space for that discomfort in the text.
Suspending that objection for a moment, let’s look at other layers of meaning that one might be able to relate to…
I will at this point assume a certain amount of familiarity with certain Jewish and textual concepts. (If not, they should be relatively easy to search.) Most readers of this blog will be familiar with mitzrayim (Egypt) representing a narrowness and exile; separation from the Divine. Water (mayim) is associated with Chesed (1), the Divine attribute of compassion. The sea is frequently associated with the Shechinah (2) - the Divine presence in the world that goes into exile with us thus creating tension or distance within the Divine structure.
Zohar 3:165b (referencing Ez. 47:2-5) in the Rav Metivta section (3): “On the south side of this courtyard, one spring of water is born… Whoever drinks from them becomes wise, enlightened by wisdom.”
South is also associated with Chesed. In this text, the waters of Chesed are cleansing waters - washing away that which is unwanted.
We also find the Song of the Sea in this weekend’s parsha. It is 18 verses long and is often viewed as a statement of faith or recognition of Divine protection. (Read it here on Sefaria). 18 is also the gematria of Chai (life).
Siddur Matok Midvash (4) has an interesting commentary on the Song of the Sea as included in Pesukei D’zimra. I won’t go into specifics here but while studying it recently I noticed how the many layers of meaning this commentary wove together felt like waves in the sea to which it was referring.
Bringing this back to our parsha and perhaps continuing the ideas from last week’s post:
When we find ourselves backed into a narrow place - whether it be overwhelmed with Gevurah or an army from the Other side - facing whatever difficulty the “Pharaoh” in our life has chased us with, may we turn our face to embrace the Sea. As a swimmer, I am all too familiar with the trepidation and discomfort of jumping into water that is deep, probably cold, and full of uncertainty. May we recognize the healing waters of Chesed; looking out across the waters - finding Divine connection there. Diving into the expansive waters of Chesed that covers and envelopes every available space, may we find connection with the Divine presence (Shechinah) and begin healing from whatever befalls us.
Footnotes
See Bahir #188, Zohar 1:3b:3 (Sefaria), Sefer Yetzirah ch.1, among MANY others.
Zohar 1:3b:3 (Sefaria), etc. Zeir Anpin = the 6 lower sefirot flowing into Malchut (Shechinah). Arich Anpin= the 3 highest sefirot and ultimate Divine Compassion (CHesed with a capital Chet)
Daniel Matt’s Pritzker edition, footnote #101, p87
Siddur Matok Midvash is part of the Zohar commentary by R’ Daniel Frisch, z”l, by the same title.
