Rabbi’s Corner
7th Day Pesach we commemorate the splitting of the sea of reeds which saved the Israelites from impending destruction by the Egyptian oppressors.
The image of the sea splitting is particularly powerful and teaches us profound lesson for our lives.
Life’s journey has many obstacles some of which may make us feel trapped. We may think to despair and give up compelled by the “logic” of the situation.
The splitting of the sea is the model for the faith of the Jew who surrenders to Hashem. He or She understands that logic is a useful tool to analyse information and for helping make decisions. But ultimately God created logic and is thus not bound by its dictates. Emunah- Faith connects us to the core of our soul that transcends time and space and logic. When we access Emunah then we are able to overcome any obstacle. This does not always mean an overt miracle will occur to save us by what we measure as the “best outcome”. But the splitting of the sea is also about being able to navigate with tranquillity and dignity the challenges that human existence brings. When we connect to Hashem then all of life’s moments, even the most difficult are infused with deeper meaning and purpose.
Some argue that they are not touched by faith or that they are tone deaf to its music. I disagree. God created every human soul in His image which means that faith is latent in the soul and just requires uncovering or discovering.
The purpose of Teffilah- Prayer is to exercise our souls perceptions of a deeper reality. The Siddur is to the man of faith as the microscope is to the scientist.
When we sensitise ourselves to the words of prayer we can begin to experience a true sense of surrender before the divine presence.
When this happens then our sea splits so to speak and we are able to perceive that which usually remains concealed if only for a split second.
When we join together in Teffilah as a community then it re-enacts the singing of the Israelites after the splitting of the sea. This collective worship binds us in ways that language is too limited to describe.
May we merit to pray together and connect to Hashem together and may this experience strengthen us in our every day lives.
Pesach Kosher Sameach
Shabbat Shalom