Beshalach: Miracles and the Quest

 In 1970 c.e., The Grateful Dead released "Uncle John's  Band."  The first part goes: 

Well the first days are the hardest days
Don't you worry anymore
Cause when life looks like Easy Street
There is danger at your door
Think this through with me
Let me know your mind
Woah-ho what I want to know
Is are you kind?

Is this a commentary on parshath Beshalach?  The parsha deals with the first days, the emergence from servitude, the establishment of the nation.  We celebrate the event at the annual Passover Seder, our most festive meal.  But, in the story, there is danger at the door. Will the Egyptians come and round us up again? Will they slaughter us?  And once they are gone, what about water, and food, and water again.  Then there are new (eternal)  enemies...oy. Perhaps it is not just  whether or not Gd is with us, לֵאמֹ֔ר הֲיֵ֧שׁ יְ  בְּקִרְבֵּ֖נוּ אִם־אָֽיִן

The place was named Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and because they tried the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD present among us or not?”

 it is also whether Gd is kind.

The parsha is a series of miracles.  The Exodus, the splitting of the sea [and all it involved], the sweetening of the waters of Mara, the  Mannah  (with a nod to the quail), water from the rock (I),  and the battle with Amalek. I have come to a more comfortable understanding  of  "miracle".  It is merely the occurrence of a very  improbable event.  Improbable events happen all the time.  Nasim Taleb  has made a career ( and a fortune) from the "black swan," as he dubs the improbable event. Miracles are expected... given enough time. . 

A Grateful Dead song can be commentary on the 4000 year old story because the underlying principle is   the human fabric.  Every normal  person comes to a place in life when she  asserts "independence."  This emancipation is from the parental providence and guidance, an exodus from the burdens and protections of childhood to the quest of making his own life. This break will require (almost) irrevocable assertions, a crossing of the Rubicon and its performance can be as difficult as the splitting of the Red sea. Irreparable damage to prior relationships  often occurs. 

The splitting of the sea was different from the 10 plagues.  Although some of the plagues involved a separation between the Hebrews and Egyptians, the splitting of the sea resulted in the destruction of the army of the oppressor. It was an unambiguous demonstration of liberation. 

Now you are out on your own.   It is now on you to find the necessities of life.   How will you avoid dying from thirst.  You find water, but it is bitter, poisonous.  It is an insoluble problem - until you are shown the unexpected solution.  This is the miracle of healing, rofecha. This is the cruel kindness of the world. 

Hunger is the next challenge. How will you feed yourself? Where does food come from? The answer is a surprise. All food comes from Heaven. The rain and the dew and the sun interact with the earth to make food.  You cannot eat for more than a day or two. In the US starvation is extremely rare.  Gd provides for everyone. I hope that the distribution will improve. 

The Israelites moved through the desert, following clouds that were perceived as divine messengers.  It leads them to oases, miracles without esteem.  Then they need water and there is no oasis.  So  a rock became the source of water.   It is the Rolling Stones, 1969: 

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find
You get what you need

The message: don't give up just because it is "impossible."  From some perspectives, it is all impossible. 

The end of the parsha, the battle with Amalek, is the most disturbing.  After the military victory over Egypt, after the struggles for water and food and water...  there are enemies, mortal battles.  And the battle will never end! 

 The LORD will be at war with Amalek throughout the ages.”

I am reminded of my "aunt' Chana's admonition, the party line: "You will find everything in the struggle"