Chesapeake Torah

In this week’s parasha, we find the magnificent episode of krias yam suf, the splitting of the sea. There is a discussion in the Midrash on exactly what happened regarding B’nai Yisroel (the Jews) actually going in the water. Rabbi Meir states that everyone wanted to go in first. Rabbi Yehuda says that no one wanted to go in. This is a rather unusual discrepancy; why would there be two opposing opinions on a historical event that are complete opposites?

The Bostoner Rebbe shlit”a shared with me from R’ Yehoshua l’Kutna a fascinating explanation.

When the b’nai Yisroel were first faced with having to jump in, everyone was inspired and each truly wanted to go in. However, when it actually came down to putting this into effect, no one was interested. So the two statements are not contradictory; rather, each statement describes a different point in time.

The lesson is obvious and rings very true. Most people are very sincere and well-intentioned; however, when it comes down to actually doing what they have in mind, sometimes it’s difficult to come through.

We should all merit to have the strength and tenacity to follow through on all of our intentions and aspirations.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Naftali

This week’s piece is dedicated in memory of my wife’s rebbi (mine too)
Rav Binyamin Steinberg zt”l
Long Time Principal of Bais Yaakov of Baltimore
BSD

Affiliate of the Lancaster Yeshiva Trade School

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