The Splitting of The Red Sea - Kriat Yam Suf

וַיֵּ֨ט משֶׁ֣ה אֶת־יָדוֹ֘ עַל־הַיָּם֒ וַיּ֣וֹלֶךְ ה' אֶת־הַ֠יָּ֠ם בְּר֨וּחַ קָדִ֤ים עַזָּה֙ כָּל־הַלַּ֔יְלָה וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם לֶחָֽרָבָ֑ה וַיִּבָּֽקְע֖וּ הַמָּֽיִם: וַיָּבֹ֧אוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּת֥וֹךְ הַיָּ֖ם בַּיַּבָּשָׁ֑ה וְהַמַּ֤יִם לָהֶם֙ חוֹמָ֔ה מִֽימִינָ֖ם וּמִשְּׂמֹאלָֽם:

And Moshe stretched out his hand over the sea, and HaShem led the sea with the strong east wind all night, and He made the sea into dry land and the waters split. Then the children of Israel came into the midst of the sea on dry land, and the waters were to them as a wall from their right and from their left. The splitting of the Red Sea - Kriat Yam Suf - is one of the most miraculous events recorded in the Torah. It is a powerful story of God's protection and intervention on behalf of his people, and it remains an important part of the Jewish tradition.

The Midrash teaches us the famous story of Nachshon ben Aminadav, the leader of the tribe of Yehuda, and brother in law to Aharon. According to this Midrash, Nachshon was the first to jump into the sea, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God's ability to save them. The Midrash teaches that as Nachshon entered the water, the sea split and the walls of water stood in place, allowing the Israelites to pass through.

This story emphasizes the importance of faith and the role of leaders in demonstrating their commitment to God. Nachshon, by jumping into the water first, showed the rest of Bnei Yisrael that it was safe to follow and that they could trust in God's protection. His bravery and unwavering faith served as an inspiration to the people and demonstrated the power of faith in action.

This Midrash serves as a reminder that leaders have a responsibility to demonstrate their faith in God and to encourage others to do the same. It also highlights the importance of taking action in times of uncertainty, even when it may seem frightening or difficult. The story of Nachshon and the splitting of the Red Sea serves to inspire and encourage us to have faith in God and to demonstrate our commitment to him, even in the face of adversity.

Another Midrash teaches us that the sea split in response to the prayers of Bnei Yisrael. According to this teaching, Bnei Yisrael cried out to God for deliverance, and God responded by splitting the sea, allowing them to escape from the Egyptians. This Midrash emphasizes the power of prayer and the importance of relying on God in times of danger and uncertainty.

Rashi notes that the splitting of the Red Sea was a powerful demonstration of God's power and his ability to intervene on behalf of his people. Rashi writes that the event was a clear sign of God's protection and a reminder of his faithfulness to his people. He notes that the sea split in response to the prayers of Bnei Yisrael and as a result of God's love for his people.

The Ramban adds that the splitting of the Red Sea was a profound miracle, unlike any other in the history of the world. He notes that the event was a direct intervention by God and not a result of natural causes. According to Ramban, the event was a clear demonstration of God's power and his commitment to his people. He writes that the sea split as a result of God's love for Bnei Yisrael and as a demonstration of his faithfulness to them.