5781 / 2021
The parasha describes the miraculous salvation of Bene Yisrael through the Sea of Reeds, the destruction of the Egyptian army, and Bene Yisrael’s initial experiences as a free, nomadic population challenged to understand themselves and form a relationship with God. Immediately upon escaping Pharaoh’s forces, Bene Yisrael express their gratitude spontaneously in song. Indeed, this shabbat is called, Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of the Song at the Sea. Miriam and the women also break into song and dance, exulting God’s power in thanksgiving, recognizing the miraculous defeat of their oppressors. Once on their own, however, Bene Yisrael are immediately challenged to find nourishment with food and water. They come upon a place called, ironically, Marah, “Bitterness.” There, the waters are too bitter to drink. The grammar of the narrative is meaningfully ambiguous. The reader is not quite certain if the phrase, “they were bitter” refers to the waters or to the peo