Making sense of the sedra: Pesach

Pesach Day 7 commemorates the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea during the exodus from Egypt. The former Israelite slaves found themselves encamped before Pi-Hahiroth – strategically boxed-in between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-Zephon, a mountainous Egyptian deity (Ex 14:2).

Cutting off any possible escape, Pharaoh’s army approached quickly. Ahead was only water. Many called out to God in fear, others complained to Moses that they never wanted to leave Egypt in the first place, only to die in the wilderness. Some suggested to stand and fight. Moses, unsure what would happen…