Beshalach (3): Greatness in our Oneness

הים ראה וינס

The sea saw and it fled

The Passuk in Tehilim illustrates how the Yam Suf fled before the Jewish people, causing it to split. The Medrash asks, what did the sea 'see'? The Medrash answers as follows: "ראה ישראל באים ורכוש מצרים בידם" - the sea saw Israel coming and the property of the Egyptians in their hands. Apparently, this sight was so awe-inspiring that the the sea was forced to withdraw and split.

The Yidden are usually referred to as either 'בני ישראל' or 'עם ישראל' - the children or the nation of Israel. Yet here they are simply called 'ישראל'. What is unique about this incident that we are called by this broader title?

Based on the words of the holy Yismach Moshe, zy"a, we will hopefully achieve some understanding.

Chazal teach us that, אלמלי היו ישראל באגודה אחת לא שלטה בהם כל אומה ולשון - 'If only the Jews were to totally banded together as one, no nation would have any control over them.' Why is this so? (And it is also interesting to note that here too we are referred to simply as Yisrael.)

The explanation is profound. Yaakov received the name ישראל on the grounds that כי שרית עם אלהים ואנשים ותוכל - You did battle with angel and man, and you were victorious. Yisrael is the name of dominance. Upon Yaakov Avinu's passing he divided this characteristic among his twelve children, who in turn passed it on to the six hundred thousand root souls of the nation. What emerges is that Yaakov Avinu's 'נשמה הכוללת' - his collective soul is splintered and fragmented in each and every one of us.

A nation is united but they are not one. Siblings are related but they too are not one being. However, because the Jews find their essential root in one, collective soul we can transcend above עם ישראל and בני ישראל and simply bear the title of ישראל, the inclusive embodiment of our holy ancestor. And as we learned, the name ישראל implies the ability to overcome any obstacle.

Upon the exodus, the Jews attained such a level of brotherhood and unity that they merited the grand title of ישראל. Their souls were fused together as one. With the collective spiritual force that they generated, the sea was forced to 'run away'. How powerful are we when we come together!