The Seventh Day of Pesah

“Why Do You Cry Unto Me?”

Jeffrey Dweck

If the Pesah Seder represents hope, redemption and our wonderful tradition of
imparting the lessons and history of Judaism by re-experiencing them, then what’s the
added message of Shevii Shel Pesah, or the Seventh Day of Pesah?

The Torah never specifies why the seventh day of Pesah is designated as a yom tob. The
traditional explanation is that on this day we celebrate the miracle of keri'at Yam Suf -
the splitting of the sea, which occurred on this day. Thus, we read in the Torah the
story of the splitting of the sea, including the Shirat Ha-Yam – the Song of the Sea
chanted by Israel upon seeing their enemies drowned.

Pesah celebrates generally the Exodus and G-d’s salvation. Why is this one aspect of
the Exodus – the splitting of the sea -- saved for the last day? Why don’t we sing Shirat
Ha-Yam at the Seder itself? The Seder covers the entire scope of G-d’s miracles,
spanning months, if not years, of historical time. What message are the Rabbis trying to
add to that of an already rich education and experience-filled Pesah?

Another question – why will our morning Torah reading end not with the Song of the
Sea, but with the story of Israel’s subsequent complaints at Marah (the place of bitter
waters)?

And finally, note the pasuk: “And G-d brought a strong east wind to blow over the sea
all that night (Shemot 14:21)?” If G-d wanted the sea to split, why did He bring a strong,
dry, east wind from the desert? With one declaration He could have transformed it into
dry land instantly.

An answer to these questions lies in the unique place that the splitting of the sea has in
our tradition and in our Torah. The Talmud (Yerushalmi) explains that the Israelites,
frightened, divided into four groups, each calling for another plan of action: Suicide,
Surrender, War and Prayer. Moshe rejected all 4 and instead quoted G-d as saying
“Speak to the children of Israel and let them move on.” Most striking is G-d’s rebuke:
“Why do you cry unto me?” Isn’t a key turning point of the Exodus story and of the
Seder when G-d “hears” the beseeching and cries of Israel? Why is that no longer
appropriate? Why, now, the call to action?

If the Seder represents our rescue, and our indescribable gratitude and awe at G-d’s
wonders and miracles and at having been saved, once helpless slaves and now G-d’s
nation of priests, then the splitting of the sea – the ultimate in Biblical wonders, but
paradoxically a gradual one - represents our part. Action. Action in the face of despair.

There are times in our lives where there appears to be no answer and no way out. We
pray. And justly so. But at times we also give in to the temptation to surrender. Or to
sit in shame and self-rebuke. Or to blame the world. Or to hope for the implausible.
Moshe (and our Rabbis) tell us that neither of the approaches is right.

The Torah reading ends not with “and they believed in G-d and Moshe His servant,”
but with the waters of Marah-- a reminder of man’s appetite for complaining and
despair.

The East wind is generally a destructive, hot, gusty, sandy and dusty wind, bringing
with it significant rises in temperature within only hours. It represents adversity. But it
seldom lasts more than a few days and, in this case, ultimately opens the door to real
and lasting salvation.

Yam Suf tells us today that in this most challenging of times, where not only do we see
our friends’ and families’ economic survival being challenged but also their very
dignity and hope, we need to take part in G-d’s miracles, take action, and move
forward.