Parashah Beshalach (After He Had Let Go) — Comments 2024
This Torah portion provides a lot to talk about. Moshe leads the Israelites out of Egypt. G-d’s cloud by day and fire by night guide Israel. Pharaoh has a change of heart and pursues the nation to the Red Sea. HaShem splits the Sea of Suf so His people can escape, then closes the waters over their pursuers. Israel crosses on dry ground. G-d turns bitter water sweet, gives manna from heaven and quail from the air, sanctifies the holy Shabbat at Massah, brings water from the rock, and—when Amalek attacks—Aharon and Hur hold up Moshe’s hands so Israel prevails.
Two Kinds of Fear: Pachad and Yirah
Scripture describes two very different “fears.” Pachad is dread—worst-case imagining that disturbs our peace, clouds judgment, and makes us vulnerable to the adversary’s schemes. Yirah is holy awe—the sense we are on sacred ground, part of something immeasurably larger, in the presence of the Creator. Yirah can rise at Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, a blazing sunset, or when we know HaShem is using us as instruments of His will.
The Long Way Around
G-d knew Israel was not ready for the quick, direct route. The Philistines and Egyptian garrisons would have shattered their thin courage. Their grumbling revealed fragile faith. HaShem led them on a path that would strengthen trust through obedience.
At the Water’s Edge
Midrash deepens the moment. Nachshon ben Amminadab, leader of Judah and relative of Aharon, is said to have stepped into the sea while it still surged, walking forward until the waters parted. Courageous action before visible rescue models faith that breaks the spell of pachad. (See the Plaut Chumash, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1984, p. 484: “up to their nostrils” before the sea became dry ground.)
Provision—and the Habit of Grumbling
Thirst and hunger exposed Israel’s fear. Bitter water turned sweet, manna and quail arrived, water flowed from the rock—and soon another complaint followed. HaShem remained faithful even when the people were not.
Amalek and the Arithmetic of Doubt
Jewish sages note the sequence: grumbling—then Amalek. The Hertz Chumash comments that whenever Israel asks, “Is Adonai among us or not?” an Amalek appears. In gematria, “Amalek” and “doubt” each total 240—a reminder that corrosive doubt invites attack. Moshe’s raised hands strengthened Israel; when his hands lowered, hearts sank—until Aharon and Hur upheld them.
Haftarah Beshalach: Deborah, Barak, and Courage
Deborah summons Barak to gather ten thousand from Zebulun and Naftali. Barak hesitates—he will go only if Deborah goes with him. She agrees, but foretells the honor will go to a woman. So it happens. Too bad for Barak; his fear dimmed his blessing.
Gospel Echo: Peter on the Water
Here we see both fears. Peter begins in yirah—faith-filled awe fixed on Yeshua—then sinks under pachad when he looks at the wind. Yeshua teaches that faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20–21); fear un-moves our feet.
Defining Yirah
Rabbi Alan Lew described yirah as the fear that comes when we suddenly inhabit a larger space than we are used to—when holy energy floods our awareness. Moses tasted it on the mountain.
Yirah saturates Scripture:
“…then you will understand the fear of Adonai and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:5)
“The fear of Adonai is a fountain of life…” (Proverbs 14:27)
“Now let the fear of Adonai be on you. Judge carefully…” (2 Chronicles 19:7)
In Job, G-d answers pain with a whirlwind of questions, enlarging Job’s world until awe replaces accusation.
Job’s humble reply:
The Messianic Promise of Awe
Yirah brings healing alignment: it dreads G-d’s displeasure, desires His favor, reveres His holiness, submits to His will, worships sincerely, and obeys conscientiously (summarizing Unger’s Bible Dictionary, p. 348).
Why the Push Out of Egypt?
Jewish tradition adds a sobering note: many Hebrews never left—paralyzed by fear or absorbed by Egyptian culture—so G-d arranged events so that Pharaoh would drive out Israel. Pachad can chain us to familiar bondage.
Call to Courage
Do we fear G-d, or do we fear man? Let us seek Adonai’s presence, imitate Yeshua, and resist the ephemeral temptations the adversary sets before us. To taste G-d’s presence—to be used directly by Him—is wonderfully “addicting.” May each of us encounter that holy awe. And if not again in this life, we count on it in the next.
BaShem HaMashiach, Ormein.
