This video presents a lecture by Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein on Chapter 42 of the Midrashic text Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer, which provides a detailed allegorical and theological exploration of the Splitting of the Reed Sea (Kriyas Yam Suf). The shiur delves into numerous Midrashic teachings, beginning with the Israelites' fear at the sea and their repentance by discarding Egyptian idols. Key discussions include reconciling accounts about the idol of Peor, the divine intervention of an angel creating a wall of fire, and the famous Midrash explaining why the angels were silent as the Egyptians drowned. This leads to a practical discussion on the laws of reciting Hallel during Passover. The lecture recounts the sea's initial refusal to split and how it was ultimately moved by the merit of Joseph's coffin. It also covers the separate songs of praise led by Moses and Miriam, and a remarkable Midrash detailing a dialogue between God and the Earth over the burial of the drowned Egyptians, based on the principle of "measure for measure" justice. The chapter concludes with God's promise to "plant" the Israelites securely in their land.
Exploring the Midrash of the Splitting of the Sea
0:44 A Fruitful Nation: The lecture begins by comparing the Israelites leaving Egypt to a pomegranate orchard, full of the "good seeds" of Mitzvot (commandments) and potential.
2:32 Repentance at the Sea: Trapped between the sea and the Egyptian army, the terrified Israelites discard the Egyptian idols they had brought with them. The Rabbi discusses a Midrashic conflict about whether the idol of Peor was among those discarded or if it crossed the sea with them.
7:56 A Divine Wall of Fire: To protect the Israelites through the night, God sends an angel (identified in this text as Michael) to form a wall of fire, preventing the Egyptian army from approaching the Israelite camp.
11:13 Why the Angels Were Silent: The lecture explains the famous Midrash that the angels were forbidden by God from singing praise as the Egyptians drowned, with God declaring, "The handiwork of my creation is drowning in the sea, and you want to sing praise?"
12:29 Hallel on Passover: This theological point is used as a springboard to explain why full Hallel (psalms of praise) is not recited on the later days of Passover, as a mark of somberness for the Egyptians who were destroyed.
17:32 The Sea Refuses to Split: The Midrash recounts that the sea initially refused to split for Moses. Moses presented the covenant of circumcision and the coffin of Joseph to convince it, with the latter ultimately providing the merit for the miracle.
22:16 The Merit of Joseph: The sea splits upon seeing the coffin of Joseph. The Midrash explains the connection: just as Joseph "fled" from sin with Potiphar's wife, the sea "fled" for him. The waters then parted into 12 distinct paths, one for each tribe.
29:38 Judah's Leap of Faith: When the Israelites hesitate to enter the parted sea, the tribe of Judah, led by Nachshon ben Aminadav, jumps in first, sanctifying God's name and prompting the rest of the nation to follow.
33:04 Luring the Egyptian Army: To draw the Egyptians into the water, the Midrash states that God appeared on a mare, causing Pharaoh's lead stallion to chase it and lead the entire army into the sea.
36:29 The Miraculous Children of the Nile: A Midrash is shared about the Hebrew baby boys who were thrown into the Nile. They were miraculously saved and nourished by rocks that gave them honey and oil. These children were the first to recognize and praise God at the sea.
47:06 The Song of the Sea: Moses leads the men in the Shirat HaYam (Song of the Sea). Miriam then leads the women separately with tambourines and other instruments, which they had prepared in faith that God would perform miracles for them.
1:00:02 The Earth's Argument with God: In a striking dialogue, the Earth initially refuses God's command to swallow the Egyptian corpses, arguing that the Sea should handle them and fearing a curse. God makes a pact, promising a "measure for measure" exchange in the future.
1:08:02 A Promise to be "Planted": The lecture concludes with an analysis of the song's final verses, where God promises to bring the people to the Holy Land and "plant them" there, signifying a permanent and secure dwelling.