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UJCL Parashah Commentaries
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BESHALACH 5769 Exodus - Shemot 13:17-17:16 February 7, 2009 -13 Shevat, 5769 By Rabbi Daniela Szuster,
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when a human being dies This week’s parashah recounts the crossing of the Red Sea by the Jews, their redemption from Egyptian oppression, and the song, joy and rejoicing for the miracle of having been saved. This is one of the few times in the Torah that a poetic chant appears. Immediately after the Jews crossed the Red Sea, a large celebration arose, where they danced and sang. It was a true expression of thanksgiving and praise, produced by their own hearts through their movement and voices. After suffering so much fear and uncertainty, they were saved. It was a true hymn to life.
When we recall this story, crucial to our tradition, we cannot forget that the Jews were saved but several Egyptians died. Although there are people, even today, who rejoice with the death of their neighbors, our tradition incites us to be aware of such loses. The death of any human being, notwithstanding their convictions, thoughts and ideologies, cannot be a reason for rejoicing. We find an example of this principle in the chanting of the Hallel during the Pesach festival.
The Hallel is a group of Psalms of Praise (Psalms 113-118), included within the liturgy of most Jewish festivals as a way to express our gratitude, praise and joy in each commemoration. In general, the Hallel is read in full on each holiday. One of the few times that the entirety of the Psalms are not read, by skipping some parts, is in Chol Hamoed Pesach (intermediate days between the Yom Tov days) and the last days of Yom Tov of the Pesach festival. I would like to share with you the reason why the Hallel is not read in full on the seventh day of Pesach in Israel, and on the seventh and eighth days in the Diaspora.
According to our tradition, the seventh day of Pesach was the day when the Jews were saved, but it was also the day when several Egyptian soldiers drowned in the Red Sea. Although the Jews were saved from death and persecution on the part of the Egyptians, it cannot be a day of full joy, given that human beings lost their lives. Thus it is clearly stated in the Talmud:
In other words, how can you fervently rejoice when someone else has died, even when he may have been an archenemy of yours?
Following the spirit of this message, the entire Hallel is not recited in the last days of Pesach.
As a people, we are facing difficult times. Certain groups in our societies celebrate and rejoice over the death of members of our people. Our tradition, on the other hand, demands our being aware of our neighbors’ pain. There cannot be complete joy when another human being has died. These values do not seem to be too popular at the age in which we currently live.
Only when true peace comes, the yearned for and longed for peace, may all humankind fervently rejoice over our achievements and those of our fellow men.
Shabbat shalom! Rabbi Daniela Szuster |
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This Parashah commentary was done by the Union of Jewish Congregations of Latin America and the Caribbean, and may be reproduced quoting its source.
Forwarded by Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik, from Kol Shearith Israel Congregation, Panama. |
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