This week’s Taste of Torah highlights the 14th chapter of the book of Exodus. The Jewish people stood at the Red Sea, with the Egyptian army closing in behind them. They divided into four groups, each symbolizing different approaches we might adopt when facing obstacles in our own lives.
The first group cried out in despair, willing to surrender and return to Egypt. How often do we also give up when challenges appear insurmountable? The second group readied for war, choosing to fight against impossible odds. The third group began to pray, believing that only divine intervention could save them. The fourth simply wanted to jump into the sea in desperation.
Moses’ response to all of them was profound: “Move forward.”
But moving forward into a sea seemed illogical, even crazy. This is where Nachshon, the prince and military leader of the tribe of Judah, enters the story, teaching perhaps the most crucial lesson about Jewish leadership and personal growth. While others debated and despaired, Nachshon walked into the sea. Step by step, the water rose to his ankles, knees, waist, and neck—until finally, at the last possible moment, the sea split.
In our modern lives, we often encounter our own “Red Seas” – seemingly impossible situations in our careers, relationships, or personal growth. Like those four groups, we might feel tempted to give up, fight blindly, wait for miracles, or resort to desperate measures.
But Nachshon’s example presents a different path: when we have a clear moral imperative and a goal, we must move forward with unwavering focus. Whether it’s starting a new business, rebuilding a relationship, or deepening our connection to tradition, the key is to keep moving ahead, even when we can’t see the path before us.
The sea didn’t split until Nachshon was nearly submerged, reminding us that breakthroughs often come at the moment of greatest challenge. What matters isn’t the obstacle in front of us but our determination to take the next step forward.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger
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