The Miracle of Nature

You may have noticed that there is a slight variation in the Torah’s description of the crossing of the Sea of Reeds. Exodus 14:22 says that the Israelites went “b’toch hayaym bayabasha” – within the sea on dry ground. But a few verses later, we are told they went “bayabasha b’toch hayam” – on dry ground in the midst of the sea (Exodus 14:29).

Some commentaries suggest that these versions refer to different levels of faith. People like Nachshon ben Aminadav went right into the sea. After this demonstration of faith, the waters divided and they were able to walk on dry ground. Others waited on the shore for the waters to first part, and then they were able to walk “on dry ground in the midst of the sea”.

Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk explains that the incredible miracle of walking within the sea but on dry ground infused us with a profound recognition of God’s control over nature. Some were able to absorb the impact of this miracle to point where they realized that everything, even nature is really miraculous. (After all, the splitting of the sea is no less amazing than the creation of the sea itself). This level of faith is reflected in the second verse where even when we normally walk on dry ground – it feels just as miraculous as if walking through the midst of the sea.

Sharing is caring!

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Leave a Reply

Don’t Stop Here

More To Explore

Wanting God

“I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob…” (Exodus 6:3). This seems to be a very straightforward and unambiguous statement by God to Moses.

Question, Challenge, Pray

“You don’t learn by having faith. You learn by questioning, by challenging, by re-examining everything you’ve ever believed. And yet, all this is a matter

Flaunt not

“You have enough. Circle the mountain and turn to the north” (Deuteronomy 2:3). Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz, in his commentary Kli Yakar, spins this verse

contact