Friday, April 6, 2012

Shirat Ha' Yam ~ Song of the Sea!!


Miriam appears in Torah as a prophetess,  the sister of Moshe and Aaron (Shemot 15:20). 
Miriam means "bitter sea" because she was born at a time when the lives of  Jews were embittered in Mitzrayim.  Miriam, however, remained sweet despite the hardships around her, giving Jews courage in those difficult times. (Midrash Yalkut Shimoni ~ Exodus 165)

We sing when we are pining after one we love, when we are yearning for better times, when we are celebrating an achievement or anticipating a revelation. We sing when we are striving for something, Song is our Quest for Redemption.

Then Moshe and the children of Israel sang this song to Ha'Shem, 
and they spoke, saying, I will sing to Ha'Shem,  for very exalted is He,  
A horse and its rider He cast into the sea.
The Eternal's strength and His vengeance were my salvation,  this is my G*d, and I will make Him a habitation,  The G*d of my father,  
and I will ascribe to Him exaltation.
Ha'Shem is a Master of war, Ha'Shem is His Name.

Pharaoh's chariots and his army He cast into the sea,  
The elite of his officers sank in the Red Sea.
The depths covered them,  they descended into the depths like a stone.

Your right hand, O Ha'Shem, is most powerful,  
Your right hand, Ha'Shem, crushes the foe.
And with Your great pride You tear down those who rise up against You, 
You send forth Your burning wrath,  it devours them like straw.
And with the breath of Your nostrils the waters were heaped up,  
The running water stood erect like a wall,  
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, I will pursue,  I will overtake,  I will share the booty.  
My desire will be filled from them,  I will draw my sword,  
My hand will impoverish them.

You blew with Your wind,  the sea covered them,  
They sank like lead in the powerful waters.
Who is like You among the powerful, O Ha'Shem?  
Who is like You,  powerful in the holy place?  
Too awesome for praises,  performing wonders!
You inclined Your right hand,  the earth swallowed them up.

With Your loving kindness You led the people You redeemed, 
You led with Your might to Your holy abode.
People heard, they trembled, a shudder seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
Then the chieftains of Edom were startled,  the powerful men of Moab,  
 Trembling seized them,  all the inhabitants of Canaan melted.

May dread and fright fall upon them, with the arm of Your greatness 
May they become as still as a stone,  until Your people cross over,  Ha'Shem, 
Until this nation that You have acquired crosses over.
You shall bring them and plant them on the mount of Your heritage, 
directed toward Your habitation, which You made, Ha'Shem, 
The sanctuary, Ha'Shem Your hands founded.
Ha'Shem will reign to all eternity.

"Save me Ha'Shem,  for the waters have reached the point of taking my soul."  
~ Parsha Naso ~ 

The Painting above is by the Artist Natalia Kadish and details may be sourced here .....  http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sea-splitting-natalia-kadish.html

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