The name of the Parshah, "Beshalach," means "When he sent" and it is found in Exodus 13:17.
Soon after allowing the children of Israel to
depart from Egypt,
Pharaoh chases after them to force their return, and the
Israelites find themselves
trapped between Pharaoh’s armies and the sea.
G‑d tells
Moses to
raise his staff over the water;
the
sea splits to allow the Israelites to
pass through, and then closes over the pursuing Egyptians. Moses and the children of Israel
sing a song of praise and gratitude to G‑d.
In the desert the people suffer thirst and hunger, and repeatedly
complain to Moses and
Aaron. G‑d miraculously
sweetens
the bitter waters of Marah, and later has Moses bring forth water from a rock by striking it with his staff. He causes
manna to rain down from the heavens before dawn each morning, and
quails to appear in the Israelite camp each evening.
The children of Israel are instructed to gather a
double portion of manna on Friday, as none will descend on
Shabbat, the divinely decreed day of rest. Some disobey and go to gather manna on the seventh day,
but find nothing. Aaron preserves a small quantity of manna in a
jar, as a testimony for future generations.
In Rephidim, the people are attacked by the
Amalekites, who are defeated by Moses’ prayers and an army raised by
Joshua.
Learn:
Beshalach in Depth
Browse:
Beshalach Parshah Columnists
Prep:
Devar Torah Q&A for Beshalach
Read:
Haftarah in a Nutshell
Play:
Beshalach Parshah Quiz
