D’var Torah on Beshalach

Gabby Levine – USY International Communications Vice President

In the parsha Beshalach, the Israelites have escaped from Egypt and find themselves trapped between Pharaoh’s armies and the sea. Caught between an evil they know and the unpredictability of the unknown, Moses sticks to his original intentions to save the Israelites and raises his staff, parting the water to allow passage. Once through, songs of praise erupt from Moses and his people, graciously thanking G-d for his guidance and protection. But even freedom is not enough to satiate the Israelites; their biological needs pose a present challenge to Moses and Aaron as the Israelites constantly complain of thirst and hunger.

To serve his children, G-d subsequently sweetens the bitter waters, and later on, Moses summons water with his staff, striking a rock. Manna appears in the morning and quails arrive in the evening, a godsend. The Israelites are also instructed to gather a double portion of manna on Friday because none will appear on Shabbat, though a few disobey and when they go to gather manna on the Sabbath, they find none because it is the day of rest.

Beshalach is more than a parsha telling us about manna, freedom, and obedience; in fact, ‘Beshalach’ itself means “when he sent.” In the time when these events took place, G-d met and satisfied the needs of the Israelites, sending them food, order, and water. However, in the year of 2025, we may be a bit confused as to how G-d is helping us currently. We are not wandering in the desert or escaping the Pharaoh’s wrath- but we are still lost in our own lives. Friendships, relationships, careers… these are just a few examples of where we find confusion in modern day life. We have these portions from the Torah to guide us, but when we apply them to our lives, they may not seem relevant. We eat processed food and drink water from a spout; where is the guidance from G-d in that? What has he sent us? 

This is up for interpretation. Personally, I believe that G-d has sent me community, and therefore peace. USY has helped me find what I need to make my life fulfilling, between my connection to Judaism, outlets for leadership, or simply the incredible friendships I’ve gained, ones I thank G-d for every single day. USY to me is a way G-d sent guidance and aid to me, to allow me to pursue justice, peace, and pave a path of hope for those lost in this modern-day desert for some of us.

Before USY, I was discombobulated as I entered a new realm of education, social dynamics, and felt my Judaism being severed from me as time drew me apart from my studies. However, USY has given me the opportunity to not only rekindle the flame of my past self and all the joy that came with it, but also fan it to grow brighter and stronger, supported by not only those around me but also with the knowledge that I have an entire community looking out for me, something I’ve realized after attending these conventions, within the US and Israel. G-d sent me guidance in an unconventional way when compared to the Israelites, but it has set me on the path for success, the same way his guidance set the Israelites on their path to greatness then.