Singing A Song Of Praise

Rabbi Mehlman's Thoughts

This Shabbat is referred to as Shabbat Shirah, the Shabbat of Song - for it was on this day that the Jewish people crossed the Red Sea and after crossing, Moshe and בני ישראל sang that famous song the שירת הים.

The word Song ,שירה, conjures up in my mind many fascinating ideas.  Jewish song is different than our modern version of song. 

Shirah of Judaism has a number of prerequisites. First the song must have meaning for all times. It must be appropriate for any future generations,  as it is for the one in which it was written. It must extend into the stream of eternity.

The second most important characteristic of a great Jewish Shirah is that it must inspire all who expierence the song especially future generations. We then realize that a Shirah is much more than musical notes ,it must contain the power to awaken us  from our spiritual slumber and inspire every one to achieve greater spiritual heights.

After this week when we were all in cold storage , we will celebrate טו בשבט, Jewish Arbor Day - saying to the world that it is a time to thaw out. We must not remain forever in cold storage. It is a time to cultivate, to plant and to insure our spiritual warmth is inspiring us to greater Jewish heights.

When בני ישראל, came to the Red Sea, Moshe cried to Hashem in desperation , not knowing what to do as he was facing utter destruction.  Hashem  responded , מה תצעק אלי, why are you crying out to me? Now is not the time to wail, now is the time for action . Tell the people יסעו, they need to move forward and take their future into their own hands and then they will realize that all obstacles in life that seem to be insurmountable can be successfully achieved.

How wonderful and miraculous was the crossing of the Red Sea.  For that great expierence a Shirah was very appropriate in expressing the glory of G-D and our deep appreciation for his miraculous intervention.  This will ultimately lead to Mt. Sinai and  to קבלת התורה, achieving our true Geulah.

Our true redemption takes place when we have a  rendevous with Hashem and that can only occur at Sinai.

I recall the words of Leo Tolstoy  who wrote"The Jew is that sacred being who brought down from heaven the everlasting fire, and has illumined with it the entire world. He is the religious source, spring and fountain out of which all the rest of the peoples have drawn their beliefs and their religions".

This is a time for all Jewery to unite and sing a שירה חדשה, a new Song , a song that will bring us closer to each other and closer to Hashem.