At times we stand at the edge of an ocean, trying to make a decision.
In this week’s Torah portion, The Jewish people are standing at the edge of the Yam Suf, deciding their next move. Do they jump in (suicide) or do they go back (surrender) to Egypt? Do they go to war or do they pray?
Whether it’s work, spiritual or family life, we often must make decisions that are scary. All the options don’t seem to be great. One of the messages of this week’s Torah portion is to move forward. Take a step toward your goal; make a move to get closer to your destination.
Many times, the issue is that it looks frightening, and we feel paralyzed. However, once we go forward, the obstacles disappear. True, we don’t have G-d telling us to go forward. Nevertheless, we can ask a mentor or an objective friend if going forward is the correct path. Do they see that it’s fear (Fake Evidence Appearing Real) holding us back or is moving forward dangerous or suicidal?
The Talmud tells us the back story “Rabbi Yehuda said … this tribe said: I am not going into the sea first, and that tribe said: I am not going into the sea first. Then, in jumped Nahshon ben Amminadab, and descended into the sea first, accompanied by his entire tribe, as it is stated: “Ephraim surrounds Me with lies and the house of Israel with deceit, and Judah is yet wayward toward G-d [rad im El]”(Hosea 12:1), which is interpreted homiletically as: And Judah descended [rad] with G-d [im El]. And in this regard, the tradition, i.e., the Writings, explicates Nahshon’s prayer at that moment: “Save me, G-d; for the waters are come in even unto the soul. I am sunk in deep mire, where there is no standing…let not the water flood overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up” (Psalms 69:2–3, 16).”
Nahshon’s prayer is one where he jumped in first. He made a move, a step in the right direction. But the water came up to a point that it seemed like it’s all over, the sea didn’t split right away! Then Nahshon says, “Save me G-d”. I am doing as you asked, that we travel toward Sinai, the water is up to my soul. (Maybe up to his neck or his nose?) And then the waters separated.
The same is with us. In general, it is the people who take action that reach their goals that truly succeed in life.
So next time you need to make a move, take action. Just do it and see the miracles unfold!
Have an amazing Shabbos.
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman