“This is my G-d, and I will glorify Him…” (15:2)
This week’s Parsha details the unprecedented miracle of Kriyas Yam Suf, the splitting of the sea. Upon witnessing the immense miracle, the Jewish people exuberantly proclaim, “Zeh Keili v’anvei’hu, Elokei Avi v’Arrom’menhu – This is my G-d, and I will glorify Him; the G-d of my father… (15:2). The order in this phrase, however, is seemingly incorrect. After all, our tradition and heritage is predicated on the relationship our ancestors had with G-d. And therefore, it should have first said, “This is the G-d of my father” before it said, “This is my G-d”?
I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita that the Imrei Emes explains that these people who stood at the Sea, witnessing the great miracle, were the same children who were born in defiance of Pharaoh’s decree of genocide. Where were they born? In the fields, where they were clandestinely raised by none other than the angels of Hashem! And therefore, they had a direct connection with Hashem where they felt His love. Way before they met the G-d of their fathers, they met G-d personally.
That is why they said, “This is my G-d” first because only later were they reunited with their parents and met the “G-d of my father.” The efforts of those who draw close to Hashem, after growing up without Him in their lives, are the very means that will bring Moshiach! It’s what brought about the exodus from Egypt and will do the same now with the final redemption.
Beshalach PDF https://parshaknowledge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/beshalach.pdf
