Beshalach: Deepseek

 

**Beshalach: A Journey of Divine and Human Agency**

 

This tension between divine and human agency is a central theme in Beshalach, weaving through the narrative and challenging our understanding of who is truly in charge.

 

The parsha begins with the Israelites leaving Egypt "b'yad ramah" (Exodus 14:8), with a high hand, as if they are marching out under their own power. Yet, it is G’d who orchestrates their escape, leading them through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The Israelites, however, are far from confident. When they find themselves trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, they cry out to Moses, accusing him of leading them to their deaths. Moses responds by telling them to be still, for G’d will fight for them. G’d’s reply is unexpected: "Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward" (Exodus 14:15). It seems that Gd did not reveal the battle plan to anyone, not even to Moses.  G’d instructs Moses to lift his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea, and the waters part, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land. The Egyptian army, pursuing them, is drowned as the waters return.

 

This moment is a profound lesson in faith and action. The Israelites are called to move forward into the sea, an act that defies logic and reason. It is a moment of desperation, but also of courage. The miracle of the splitting sea is not just a demonstration of G’d’s power, but also a test of the Israelites’ willingness to trust in that power

 

After the miraculous crossing, the Israelites sing the *Shirat HaYam*, the Song of the Sea, celebrating their deliverance and G’d’s triumph over their enemies. Yet, their relief is short-lived. Almost immediately, they face new challenges: bitter water at Marah, hunger in the wilderness, and thirst at Rephidim. Each time, they complain, and each time, G’d provides a solution. At Marah, G’d shows Moses a piece of wood that sweetens the water. In the wilderness, God sends manna from heaven. And at Rephidim, Moses strikes a rock with his staff, and water gushes forth.

 

These miracles are not just acts of divine benevolence; they are also lessons in dependence and trust. The Israelites, newly freed from slavery, are learning to rely on G’d rather than Pharaoh. Yet, their journey is fraught with confusion and doubt. When they ask, "Is the Lrd present among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7), they reveal their uncertainty about G’d’s role in their lives. This question echoes throughout the parsha, as the Israelites struggle to understand the balance between divine intervention and human responsibility. They must sort out the roles of G’d, Moses and their own actions.

 

The parsha concludes with the battle against Amalek. Here, the role of Moses and his staff is once again central. As long as Moses holds his arms aloft, the Israelites prevail in battle; when he lowers them, they falter. Aaron and Hur support his arms, ensuring that they remain raised until victory is secured. This scene  is complex.  It is an undoing of the divine decision, in the opening sentence of the chapter, to detour the people away from battle with the Philistines. It represents the statement that the people could now do battle after their experiences in the desert. Is  the dependence upon the raised staff in the weary hands of Moses a compromise with the emotional state of the Hebrews? Is it a statement that success is multifactorial, complex and partially beyond our control?

 

Throughout Beshalach, the interplay between divine and human action is complex and often confusing. The Israelites are called to take bold steps of faith, even when the path ahead seems impossible. They are reminded that G’d is with them, but they must also play their part. The staff, the symbol of divine power, is wielded by human hands, and the miracles that sustain them require their active participation.

 

In the end, Beshalach is a story of transition. The Israelites are moving from slavery to freedom, from dependence on Pharaoh to reliance on G’d and themselves. It is a journey filled with miracles, but also with challenges and doubts. The parsha teaches us that faith is not passive; it requires action, courage, and trust. But faith can afford the courage to confront the seemingly impossible and triumph.

 

As we reflect on Beshalach, we are reminded that the journey of faith is not always clear. We may find ourselves trapped between the sea and the enemy, unsure of the way forward. But like the Israelites, we are called to move forward, to trust in the divine presence that guides us, and to play our part in the unfolding story of redemption.

Deep Seek

Lyrics

Oh, my name, it ain't nothin', my age, it means less
The country I come from is called the Midwest
I's taught and brought up there, the laws to abide
And that the land that I live in has God on its side

Oh, the history books tell it, they tell it so well
The cavalries charged, the Indians fell
The cavalries charged, the Indians died
Oh, the country was young with God on its side

The Spanish-American War had its day
And the Civil War too was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes I was made to memorize
With guns in their hands and God on their side

The First World War, boys, it came and it went
The reason for fightin' I never did get
But I learned to accept it, accept it with pride
For you don't count the dead when God's on your side

The Second World War came to an end
We forgave the Germans, and then we were friends
Though they murdered six million, in the ovens they fried
The Germans now too have God on their side

I learned to hate the Russians all through my whole life
If another war comes, it's them we must fight
To hate them and fear them, to run and to hide
And accept it all bravely with God on my side

But now we've got weapons of chemical dust
If fire them we're forced to, then fire them we must
One push of the button and they shot the world wide
And you never ask questions when God's on your side

Through many dark hour I been thinkin' about this
That Jesus Christ was betrayed by a kiss
But I can't think for you, you'll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot had God on his side

So now as I'm leavin', I'm weary as hell
The confusion I'm feelin' ain't no tongue can tell
The words fill my head, and they fall to the floor
That if God's on our side, he'll stop the next war

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Bob Dylan

With God on Our Side lyrics © Special Rider Music, Universal Tunes