Shabbat Shirah: The Sabbath of the Song
This Shabbat is celebrated throughout the Jewish world with a focus on a central theme: the crossing of the Sea of Reeds and the Israelites’ joy expressed through song.
As the People crossed the sea, the miracle of their redemption was on full display for them to experience. We commemorate this moment every day in our morning prayers: “Az Yashir Moshe, this is the song Moses sang,” which reminds us daily of the seminal moment of the birth of our People as one nation. Each morning, we personally leave slavery to continue on our journey to our own “Promised Land.”
We quote from the Song of the Sea for a second time in our morning service: “Who is like You, O God, among the gods that are worshipped? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, working wonders? They cried out: ‘Adonai will reign forever and ever!’”
And yet a third time in our daily prayers—this time in the evening service—we repeat the same words: “mi chamocha.”
This moment at the sea is the moment of triumph over Pharoah (arguably the most powerful human being on the planet) and the beginning of our People’s journey to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Our tradition teaches us to show elation and jubilation—to sing, to dance—at the most important moments of happiness in our lives.
The Shabbat Kiddush mentions two important events: creation and the Exodus from Egypt. May we embrace the power of that moment of redemption at the sea; may we each sing with a full and joyous heart to give thanks for the blessings we receive daily; may we each be reminded, at least three times each day, of the miracles we witness as we journey to our own lands of promise and dreams.
Shabbat Shalom.
— Cantor Nathan Lam