Diversity & The Creativity of G-d
If asked to list the greatest miracles of all time, most of us would include Kriyas Yam Suf - The Parting of The Sea. This is due to a variety of reasons.
First of all, of all the miracle recorded in the Torah, it is probably the most famous.
Secondly, it’s theatrical presentation has all the elements of a real "keeper."
Thirdly, The players also worked really well together. On the one side, the most advanced civilization and powerful army of its time. On the other side, a just freed nation of slaves numbering in the millions.
The Rabbis explained that the miracle of Kriyas Yam Suf - Parting of the Sea was much more spectacular than what we have been told. The Medrash says that the sea didn't just split into two. It actually divided into 12 separate avenues - one for each tribe.
The Medrash says that fresh fruit grew from the walls of seawater providing the Jews with refreshments while they made their way through the sea.
G-d went so far as to make the seawater-walls transparent so that each tribe could see the other and not be afraid that they alone had survived.
However, the most interesting detail not generally known is that the Jews entered and exited the Yam Suf on the same side! The Talmud says that the parting of the waters happened in a semi-circle! The Bnai Yisroel entered on the western shore of the Yam Suf and exited on the same western shore! The only thing that was accomplished in the course of the miracle was the destruction of the Egyptians and the revelation of G-d's awesome power and majesty.
This means that the Jews did not have to cross the Yam Suf to get to the Promised Land. G-d could have led them along the Mediterranean shoreline through the land of the Pilishtim and they would have arrived much sooner and not come anywhere near to the Yam Suf. This means that from the start G-d led them in a circuitous direction for the sole purpose of destroying the Egyptians!
Question:
There are many methods available to G-d if He desires to punish and destroy. Why did He specifically choose the parting of the sea for Egypt's punishments?
Explanation:
We Call The Shots
Our sages teach us that G-d almighty works “Middah KiNeged Midah” Systematically - measure for measure – in turn we are calling the shots.
In the story of the Exile we find, as we will all recall how Pharaoh ordered all the Jewish males to be thrown into the sea, (and all the females to remain alive and adapt to an Egyptian way of life and culture).
Upon considering this method of torture Pharaoh recalled that Noah was promised that he would never destroy the world again with water, and even showed him the rainbow as a sign of this pact and covenant. Pharoh new of G-ds systematic methods assuming no punishment or revenge would follow.
Little did Pharaoh know that G-d’s pact with Noah was limited to the destruction of the entire world but not limited to parts of the world. And so when it came time to punish Pharaoh and his armies He fell back on the pre established system of measure for measure. Judaism lives and let’s live, but when one trespasses on this premise G-d takes action.
Question:
Why do we need to mention the Story of the Exdous and As Yashir – parting of the Sea each and every day?
Explanation
G-dly Shock Therapy
A second way of defining this outer worldly phenomena of the parting of the sea was what we can call “G-dly Shock therapy”. The Jewish people suffered for soo many years, 210 years to be exact under such pain and suffering. Upon exiting Egypt, The Almighty understood the Psyche’s of man and recognized the need for something spectacular to awake them to this new reality - of Freedom.
The 12 Paths ways: to show them that although they were separated in Egypt and they may of each gone there own ways, now they are together as one, united under one banner of Freedom with Moses and G-d at the Lead.
Bringing them right back to them same side: telling them there is nothing to be afraid of I am here and I am here to stay. On our merry way to the holy land.
Yet, by death and destruction they were hardened by death and destruction they would be softened. As the generation of the Exile were not as lucky to enter the Holy land to live up to the Torah they received at Sinai only 40 days after the Exile ended.
All of us in turn go through a process of establishment, recognition and purification. We experience life and learn from our pasts and pass on the lessons to the future generations, The goal to make an even brighter and stronger future.
Hence, the splitting of the Yam Suf, was a process of mind opening to a much deeper reality and recognition of G-dliness. The lesson each and every day of our lives we must relive the exodus and the parting of the sea, as we do every day in our prayers recognizing the inner dimension of our reality.