Rabbi Howard Morrison

This week's Torah portion provides a terse description when the Israelites were surrounded by a pursuing Egyptian army on one side and a stormy sea on the other side (Exodus 14:10-14). The Midrash fashions a narrative based on the Biblical verses and utilizes the Torah's words as responses. 

The Israelites were divided into four groups. The first said, "Let us throw ourselves into the sea," to which Moses responded, "Stand by and witness the deliverance which the Lord will work for you today."

The second group said, "Let us return to Egypt," to which Moses responded, "The Egyptians who you see today you will never see again."

The third group said, "Let us wage war upon the Egyptians," to which Moses responded, "The Lord will battle for you."

The fourth group said, Let us cry out (pray) to God," to which Moses responded, "Hold your peace."

Notice how the Midrash uses the scene in the Torah to create the four groups based on the Torah's words which Moses uses to respond to them, in the legendary interpretation. 

Ultimately, the Torah text continues, "Then the Lord said to Moses, why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward (Exodus 14:15)."

In an alternative Midrash, in the time that Moses is crying out (praying) to God  before God instructs the Israelites to go forward, one person goes forward on his own, combining action with faith. His name is Nachshon ben Aminadav from the tribe of Judah. He did not only pray; he did not foolishly throw himself into the water; he did not go back to Egypt or attempt to wage war. Rather, he "moved forward," with faith and belief after having witnessed God's miraculous hand in leading the Israelites to that point.

For the reader, it would have been understandable to watch Moses, Aaron, or Miriam take the first step. Rather, a common person, like all of us, took the first step. Nachshon moved forward and inspired all others to follow him.

As I think of Covid, many people are divided in various groups, similar to the four competing groups in the Midrash. How many of us are able to emulate Nachshon and "move forward?"

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison