Beshalach

Redemption Reveals Divine Providence· Essay 1

In the Midrash on “Then Moses sang.” The Sefat Emet cites the Midrash on the Song at the Sea as the starting point for his teaching. “Your throne is established from then…” even though from always Your throne [has existed]. The Midrash note…

Seizing the Opportune Moment· Essay 2

“Speak to the Children of Israel, and let them return…” The Sefat Emet begins by asking why God commanded them to turn back on their path during the Exodus. The reason is that the Exodus was a miracle that came without gradual preparation. …

Crying Beyond the Voice· Essay 3

My revered ancestor, my teacher of blessed memory, taught the explanation of the Midrash on “Why do you cry out … two inheritances …”. The Sefat Emet introduces his teaching by citing his ancestor’s explanation that the Midrash connects the…

Prayer After Divine Promise· Essay 4

The Raavad and the Ramban raise an objection regarding the cry of our teacher Moses. They wonder why Moses cried out to God at the sea. After all, the Holy One had promised him, “I will be glorified through Pharaoh,” etc. Since God had alre…

Israel Awakening Torah's Letters· Essay 5

“Then he shall sing, etc.” The Sefat Emet opens by addressing the phrase introducing the Song at the Sea. Rashi teaches: “It arose in his heart to sing, and so he did.” Rashi emphasizes that the act of song began internally as an intention …

Beshalach 5631 תרל"א

תרל”א במדרש אז ישיר. נכון כסאך מאז כו’ אע”פ שמעולם כו’ כסאך כו’.  Medrash (Shmos Rabba 23:1) After splitting of the sea, HaShem’s dominion was more established. This can be compared to a king that after he…

Transcending Nature Through Good Deeds· Essay 1

“That which was said to the Children of Israel, that they should return, etc.” The Sefat Emet explains that God’s command for Israel to turn back was purposeful and not merely geographical. “In order to split the sea for them and that they …

Redeeming the Holy Spark· Essay 2

“What Scripture says, ‘And I will be glorified through Pharaoh,’ several times.” The Sefat Emet notes the repeated declaration that God will attain glory through Pharaoh, asking why this emphasis appears multiple times. “Surely the entire m…

Shabbos Reveals Divine Kingship· Essay 3

“Let each person remain in his place… on the seventh day.” The Sefat Emet begins with the command to stay “in one’s place” on Shabbat, seeing this as an entry point into the deeper meaning of spiritual rootedness on the seventh day. The Zoh…

Beshalach 5632 תרל"ב

תרל”ב מה שנאמר לבנ”י שישובו כו’. כדי לקרוע להם הים ושיאמרו שירה. כי יצ”מ הי’ בהבטחה לאבות. ולא הי’ שייך לומר שירה ע”ז.  The reason why Bnei Yisrael were told to turn back and encamp in front of…

Two Levels of Faith· Essay 1

“And they believed in the Lord and in Moses…,” although it also says in Egypt, “And the people believed…” The Sefat Emet asks why belief after the splitting of the sea is emphasized, since belief had already appeared in Egypt. But there are…

Joyful Anticipation Preparing for Shabbos· Essay 2

“Let no person go out from his place, etc.” The Sefat Emet opens by interpreting the command not to leave one’s place on Shabbat as an inner teaching about spiritual rootedness and inwardness. “For every Jew has a bonding to his root on Sha…

Song from a Straightened Heart· Essay 3

“Then he sang…,” meaning that they awakened the aspect of song that exists in every created being, as stated in Perek Shirah. The Sefat Emet explains that song is embedded in all creation, but it becomes revealed only when awakened by human…

Beshalach 5633 תרל"ג

ויאמינו בה’ ובמשה כו’ אף דגם במצרים כ’ ויאמן העם כו’. And they trusted in HaShem and Moshe” (Shmot 14:31), when Bnei Yisrael where in Mitzrayim it also says that “the nation trusted” (Shmot 4:31) (What was so special…

Running and Returning for Permanence· Essay 1

“Speak to the Children of Israel, and let them return.” God instructs Israel to turn back, signaling that their journey forward requires a corrective return. Because the Children of Israel left Egypt in haste, and it was not gradual. The hu…

Crying Out Awakens Hidden Bond· Essay 2

In the Midrash: “Why do you cry out?” He begins with the Midrash’s question to Moses, introducing the theme of the nature of crying out in prayer. “They cried out, and God heard…” This refers to Israel’s cry being immediately received by Go…

Beshalach 5635 תרל"ד

תרל”ד דבר אל בנ”י וישובו.  “Tell Bnei Yisrael they must turn back…” (Shemos 14:2) לאשר יצאו בנ”י בחפזון ממצרים והי’ שלא בהדרגה. ואין זה דבר של קיימא. הוצרכו לשוב.  Since Bnei Yisrael left Mitzrayim in a ‘hu…

Prayer as Israel's Inherited Power· Essay 1

In the Midrash: “Why do you cry out?” The Sefat Emet opens by citing the Midrash that questions why Moses was told not to cry out, setting the stage for an exploration of the power of prayer. Isaac bequeathed two inheritances. The two spiri…

Sea Splitting Reveals Divine Sovereignty· Essay 2

The matter of the splitting of the sea after the exodus from Egypt. The Sefat Emet introduces the idea that the splitting of the sea served a different spiritual purpose than the exodus itself. For the exodus was solely for the sake of rede…

Beshalach 5635 תרל"ה

תרל”ה במדרש מה תצעק. ב’ ירושות הנחיל יצחק. עשו מתגאה בירושתו הידים ידי עשו. ויעקב מתגאה הקול קול יעקב כו’.  The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 21:1) on the pasuk “Why are you calling out to me…” (Shemos 14:15). Yitzchak inher…

From Divine Gift to Earned Salvation· Essay 1

The matter of the splitting of the sea after the exodus from Egypt, as stated in the Midrash that the exodus was difficult, etc. The Sefat Emet introduces the idea that the redemption from Egypt and the splitting of the sea functioned diffe…

Israel as Shabbos Boundary· Essay 2

“In the verse: ‘See… the Lord has given you the Sabbath…’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the wording that the Sabbath is a divine gift granted specifically to Israel. As it is written: “And the Children of Israel shall guard the Sabb…

Manna Preparing for Torah· Essay 3

“Behold, I will rain down..., and the people shall go out and gather each day’s portion...” This daily gathering of manna served as the initial preparation for receiving the Torah. For this was a preparation for receiving the Torah. The Sef…

Beshalach 5636 תרל"ו

תרל”ו ענין קרי”ס אחר יצ”מ שכ’ במד’ יצ”מ קשה כו’.  (To explain) the idea that the slitting of the sea came after the exodus from Mitzrayim. The Medrash (Shemos Rabba 22:3) says that the splittin…

Faith as Following Divine Guidance· Essay 1

In the Midrash it says to remember in prayer the Exodus from Egypt and the splitting of the sea. The Sefat Emet opens by referencing the Midrash that distinguishes between remembering the Exodus and remembering the splitting of the sea. And…

Redemption Through Kindness Not Merit· Essay 2

In the Midrash on “And it was when Pharaoh sent,” it asks: Did Pharaoh truly send them, when the verse states “God is the One who brings them out of Egypt”? And it explains that “sending” refers only to a form of release connected to Levi, …

Shabbos Given Only to Israel· Essay 3

“In the Midrash: ‘See that Hashem has given you the Sabbath — to you and not to the nations.’” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash that Shabbat is uniquely given to Israel and not to the nations of the world. “A parable: to a king a…

Israel's Voice Versus Esav's Sword· Essay 4

“In the verse: ‘And the children of Israel went up armed, in groups of five.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the Torah’s statement that Israel left Egypt equipped with weapons. “And why did they need weapons?” The question arises because …

Establishing Divine Kingship Through Redemption· Essay 5

In the Midrash: “Your throne is established.” The Sefat Emet opens with the Midrash that explains how God’s throne becomes firmly established in the world. Even though You have existed forever. God’s existence is eternal, yet His revealed s…

Beshalach 5637 תרל"ז

תרל”ז במדרש לזכור בכ”י יצ”מ וקי”ס. וקי”ס אם לא הזכיר אין מחזירין. ויצ”מ מחזירין כו’ שיצ”מ קשה כו’ ולמה מזכירין קי”ס שכיון שקרע להם הים האמינו כו’.  Midrash (Shemos Rabba…

Settling Divine Rule Within· Essay 1

In the Midrash: “Your throne is established,” although Your throne was never fully settled until “then Moses sang,” etc. The Sefat Emet begins with the Midrash teaching that God’s kingship becomes “settled” only when humans recognize it, wh…

Shabbos Unbroken Divine Flow· Essay 2

“In the verse: ‘See that the Lord has given you the Sabbath,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the Torah’s wording invites reflection on what it means to ‘see’ the gift of Shabbat. “And in the Midrash it should have said: ‘Know,’ …

Faith in Moshe Tested· Essay 3

“In the verse: ‘And the Lord spoke… Speak to the Children of Israel, and let them return…’” The Sefat Emet opens by raising the question of why God commanded Moses to tell the people to turn back. “One must examine: since they were travelin…

Sanctifying the Physical Body· Essay 4

“In the verse: ‘And the people went out and gathered… in order that I may test them…’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the gathering of the manna itself served as a divine test for Israel. “Without doubt, the bodies of the Children of …

Beshalach 5638 תרל"ח

במדרש נכון כסאך אע”פ שמעולם אתה לא נתיישבה כסאך עד אז ישיר כו’ משל כו’ ע”ש.  The Midrash on the pasuk (Tehillim 93:2) “Your throne stands firm”, compares the splitting of the sea to a king who now becomes a gene…

Elevation Above Wicked Influence· Essay 1

In the Midrash: “And it was when he sent…” meaning, “to the One who brought them out…” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which interprets the verse as referring to God, the One who truly brought Israel out. “Sending” refers only …

Nourishment from Divine Speech· Essay 2

“Behold, I am raining for you bread from heaven…” This means that the nourishment would be connected directly to its supernal root. Meaning: that the food would be bound to its upper root. The manna was not ordinary food; its essence was sp…

Beshalach 5639 תרל"ט

במדרש ויהי בשלח כו’ כ’ אל מוציאם כו’. אין שילוח כו’ אלא לוי’ כו’.  The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 20:3) Explains the apparent contradiction “and it was when Paroh sent Bnei Yisrael”, yet it was not Paroh…

Redemption Solely for Heaven· Essay 1

The matter of the splitting of the Sea after the exodus from Egypt. The Sefat Emet introduces the idea that the timing of the Sea’s splitting contains a special teaching. It may be explained that in the Egyptian exile there was harsh labor …

Master of Bestowed Glory· Essay 2

“For He has triumphed gloriously.” The phrase is understood according to the Midrash, which expands on the divine quality of exaltation. Explained according to the Midrash in Shemot on the verse “See, I have made you a god.” The Sefat Emet …

Beshalach 5640 תר"מ

ענין קי”ס אחר יצ”מ. יש לפרש כי בגלות מצרים הי’ עבודה קשה גם בגשמיות לבד אשר נטבעו ת”י טומאת מצרים. כמ”ש חז”ל. ומרוב עבודת הגוף לא הרגישו בנ”י כל כך להיות אצלם הגאולה לש”ש בלבד. כי ממילא הי&#82…

Freedom Revealing Hidden Miracles· Essay 1

It has already been stated elsewhere regarding the matter of the splitting of the Sea. The Sefat Emet begins by noting that he has previously explained the spiritual dynamics of the Splitting of the Sea. For during the exodus from Egypt, th…

Prophetic Vision of Salvation· Essay 2

“In the verse: ‘Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that He will perform.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the phrasing: the salvation is described as something God “will perform,” implying future action. “It should have said: ‘an…

Refined Bodies Receiving Torah· Essay 3

“In the section of the manna: ‘Behold, I am raining down... in order to test whether he will walk in My Torah.’” The Sefat Emet teaches that the giving of the manna served as a test of Israel’s readiness to live according to the Torah. “For…

Hunger That Receives Torah· Essay 4

“And it is written: ‘He afflicted you and made you hunger, and He fed you the manna…’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the verse itself praises God not only for feeding Israel with manna but also for the hunger that preceded it. “We gi…

Beshalach 5641 תרמ"א

כבר כ’ במ”א ענין קי”ס. כי ביצ”מ היו בנ”י נוגעין. שהיו בצרת מצרים. ולכן לא נמשכו אחר הארת הנסים. ובקי”ס שכבר היו בני חורין קיבלו הארת הנסים. וזה ענין ויאמינו בה’ ואח”כ הבינו למפרע כל ההנהגה. שה…

Divine Glory Through Righteous Path· Essay 1

“In the Midrash: ‘A whip for the horse…’” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash that interprets the verse “A whip for the horse,” introducing the topic of divine correction and guidance. “For they expounded the expression ‘Vayehi’ (An…

Daily Renewal Preparing Torah· Essay 2

“In the verse: ‘And they shall gather the matter day by day… in order to test them, whether they will walk in My Torah.’” The Sefat Emet begins by linking the daily gathering of manna to a divine test: whether Israel can live in continual r…

Seeing Shabbos with Clarity· Essay 3

“In the verse: ‘They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that this verse alludes to deep spiritual structures embedded in Israel’s formation. “As is known regardin…

Beshalach 5642 תרמ"ב

במדרש שוט לסוס כו’. דדרש לשון ויהי. דאיתא בעשרה מאמרות נברא העולם כו’ כדי להפרע מרשעים וליתן שכר טוב לצדיקים. והיינו עשרה מכות שנפרע פרעה הרשע. ושכר לצדיקים היא התורה עשרת הדברות שהיא שכר טוב לצדיקים. כמ”ש לקח טוב נתתי. ומ…

Two Redemptions Deed and Speech· Essay 1

Concerning the exodus from Egypt and the splitting of the sea. The Sefat Emet introduces two stages of redemption represented by these two events. It is possible to explain that two redemptions were necessary. Redemption unfolds in more tha…

Shabbos as Divine Gift· Essay 2

“In the verse ‘See that the Lord has given you the Sabbath… He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the Torah links the gift of Shabbat directly to the giving of the manna. “It appears that S…

Beshalach 5643 תרמ"ג

בענין יצ”מ וקי”ס. יתכן לפרש שהי’ צריך ב’ גאולות. בבחי’ יוסף ויהודה. משיח בן יוסף ומשיח בן דוד. שצריך להיות הגאולה בב’ הבחינות. והוא ברית המעור וברית הלשון. לכן ביצ”מ איתא שמלו בנ”י עצמם. וכ&#8…

Freedom Reveals Israel's Holiness· Essay 1

במדרש שלחיך פרדס רמונים כו’ ע”ש. הענין הוא כי כ”ז שהיו בנ”י בגלות. לא יכלו להוציא מכח אל הפועל הקדושה והחיות ואלקות שהי’ טמון בהם. לכן לא הכיר גם מרע”ה. ואמר באיזה זכות כו’. והשיבו הקב”ה בהוצי…

Tefillin Redeeming Deed and Mind· Essay 1

“The juxtaposition of the section ‘as a sign on your hand’ etc. and ‘And it was when Pharaoh sent out the people’ etc.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the intentional placement of the Torah portions dealing with tefillin next to the account…

Appointed Moment for Song· Essay 2

“In the Midrash on ‘Then Moses sang’: ‘She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the Torah of kindness is on her tongue,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by connecting the Song at the Sea to a verse about wisdom, suggesting that Israel’s song emerge…

Manna and Tree of Life· Essay 3

“Regarding the section of the manna.” The Sefat Emet introduces his teaching on the manna narrative. “Bread from the heavens.” The manna is described as heavenly nourishment, unlike earthly food. In the Midrash: “Come, partake of My bread.”…

Beshalach 5645 תרמ"ה

סמיכות הפרשה לאות על ידך כו’ ויהי בשלח כו’. דענין קי”ס אחר יצ”מ איתא במדרש יציאת מצרים קשה כו’. כי יצ”מ הי’ הגאולה מהגלות במעשה ובשיעבוד הגוף. וקי”ס הי’ הגאולה בנפש. שאחר הגלות הי’…

Refined Bodies Refined Sustenance· Essay 1

“In the section of the manna.” The Sefat Emet introduces his teaching by grounding it in the Torah’s passage about the manna. “A matter of each day in its day.” This phrase emphasizes the uniquely daily nature of the manna and its spiritual…

Daily Renewal of Sustenance· Essay 2

“It is stated in the Gemara: If the Children of Israel had kept the first Shabbat, no nation or tongue would have had dominion over them.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the teaching that the earliest opportunity to observe Shabbat carried…

Beshalach 5646 תרמ"ו

בפרשת המן. דבר יום ביומו. כי בנ”י נתרוממו להיות גופם מזוכך. וכפי הזדככות הגופים כמו כן הפרנסה ומזונות שלהם. ולכן דרשו חז”ל לחם שמה”ש אוכלין. כי השפע בשורש הוא רוחניות מאוד. וכל הברואים מקבלין אחר כמה צמצומים. ובנ”י ק…

Two Dimensions of Shabbos· Essay 1

Concerning the Exodus from Egypt and the splitting of the Sea, afterward “then Moses sang.” The Sefat Emet opens by explaining that the song at the Sea comes as the culmination of the redemption events. And in the Midrash: “She opens her mo…

Salvation for All Generations· Essay 2

“In the verse: ‘And they believed in Hashem.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the Torah’s statement that Israel believed after the splitting of the sea. “But it is difficult, as the Midrash says: Did they not already have reason to believe…

Manna's Hidden Spiritual Nourishment· Essay 3

“Regarding the manna, as it is written: ‘In order to make you know that not by bread alone does a human live…’” The Sefat Emet teaches that the purpose of the manna was to reveal that life-force does not come from physical food itself, but …

Shabbos Source of Sustenance· Essay 1

Further on the above matter, as it is written in the section of the manna: “See that the Lord has given you the Sabbath.” The Sefat Emet begins by linking the Sabbath to the miracle of the manna, showing that Shabbat itself is a Divine gift…

Divine Glory at the Sea· Essay 2

“Regarding the Splitting of the Sea, as it is written: ‘And I will be glorified through Pharaoh…’” The Sefat Emet opens by explaining that the miracle of the Sea was primarily for the glorification of God, as the verse states. “For the Exod…

Becoming Vessels for Song· Essay 1

“In the Midrash: A person must mention the splitting of the Sea, etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the teaching that one must recall the miracle of the Sea of Reeds. “The exodus from Egypt was difficult, etc.” The redemption was arduous…

Body Sustained by Torah· Essay 2

“Concerning the section of the manna.” The Sefat Emet introduces his teaching on the manna in the wilderness. “Behold, I will rain down for you bread from heaven … in order that I may test them …” The verse frames the manna as both sustenan…

Redemption Reveals Torah's Light· Essay 1

Concerning the matter of the Song. The Sefat Emet introduces the topic by framing the Song at the Sea as its own spiritual category. As was said earlier in Parashat Vayechi, there are special sections designated for revelation. He recalls h…

Adorning the Soul Through Mitzvos· Essay 2

“In this verse: ‘This is my God and I will beautify Him.’” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the special emphasis on beautifying God through mitzvot. Our sages expounded: “Beautify yourself before Him with mitzvot.” This teaches that mitzvot a…

Eternal Battle Won Through Torah· Essay 1

“In the verse: ‘Stand and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today…’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the command to stand still and witness divine salvation, emphasizing that Israel is positioned as observers…

Revealing Israel's Hidden Inner Form· Essay 2

“In the verse ‘And they believed… then Moses sang…’.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the connection between belief and the eruption of song at the sea. “It was already written elsewhere regarding the Midrash ‘Your shoots are an orchard of …

Living from God's Every Word· Essay 3

In the section of the manna, “bread from heaven.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the manna represents heavenly sustenance, not rooted in the physical world. And it is written: “In order to make you know … that man lives by everything …

Eating for the Sake of Shabbos· Essay 4

“Regarding the verse: ‘Eat it today, for today is Shabbat to the Lord.’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the Torah’s command that the manna be eaten on the same day—because it is Shabbat and therefore sanctified for God. “But it is dif…

Shabbos Foretaste of Future Joy· Essay 1

“On the verse ‘Then Moses will sing,’ Rashi noted the use of the future tense, which is not ordinarily used for something occurring in the present.” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining Rashi’s linguistic question: why does the Torah frame t…

Divine Exaltation Beyond Our Grasp· Essay 2

On the verse “For He is exalted, exalted.” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the doubled phrase, indicating a layered exaltedness beyond human grasp. For the exaltedness of God cannot truly be grasped; rather, with every level of underst…

Refining Sparks Through Tears and Song· Essay 1

“It is written: ‘He brings out prisoners in kosharot,’ and the Midrash says: in weeping and in song.” The Sefat Emet explains that the verse alludes to two modes of spiritual emergence: through tears and through song, as taught by the Midra…

Splitting the Sea as Shabbos· Essay 1

The matter of the splitting of the sea after the exodus from Egypt. The Sefat Emet opens by distinguishing two stages: the Exodus itself and the splitting of the sea, each representing a different spiritual process. And in the Midrash it is…

Inner Sustenance Through Faithful Sight· Essay 2

Concerning the manna — “so that they may see the bread,” etc. The Sefat Emet opens by explaining that the purpose of the manna was to teach Israel to perceive the true nature of sustenance. The Gemara states: “The blind eat and are not sati…

Balancing Strength and Devotion· Essay 1

“In the Midrash: ‘My dove, in the clefts of the rock.’” The Sefat Emet begins by invoking the Midrash on this verse, which describes Israel as God's dove, hidden and protected. “It should have said simply ‘dove,’ etc.; for with regard to Me…

Sacred Food Sustaining Torah· Essay 1

“In the section of the manna.” The Sefat Emet begins by grounding the teaching in the biblical passage about the manna. “I will rain down bread for you from Heaven… in order that I may test them…” The giving of manna served both as sustenan…

Manna Unchanged from Its Source· Essay 1

“Behold, I am raining… bread from the heavens… the matter of each day in its day.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the manna descended freshly each day, reflecting a divine, unmediated flow. For food that comes from the earth undergoes…

Milah Enabling Israel's Song· Essay 1

“In the Midrash on ‘Then Moses sang.’” The Sefat Emet begins by invoking the Midrash on the Song at the Sea. “As it says: ‘He lifted me from the roaring pit … and placed a song in my mouth…’” This verse is brought as the scriptural basis fo…

Recognizing Divine Justice in Exile· Essay 2

“Further, in the Midrash: ‘And they believed in the Lord’—then Moses sang.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which connects Israel’s faith at the sea with the song that followed. As it is written: “The Lord is known through the …

Manna Beyond All Change· Essay 1

“In the section of the manna: Behold, I will rain down for you bread from heaven.” The Sefat Emet begins by framing the manna as a direct divine gift descending from above without human mediation. It is taught: The manna came in the merit o…

Ever-Renewing Song of Redemption· Essay 1

“Then Moses sang…” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the Song at the Sea reflects a spiritual state newly revealed after the Exodus. The meaning: After the Exodus, the Children of Israel became vessels capable of testifying to the Creato…

Man Testifying for Creation· Essay 2

“And in the Midrash: ‘Your throne is established since then.’” The Sefat Emet begins with the Midrashic connection between God’s eternal throne and the moment of song at the Red Sea. “Since then, they sang…” The word ‘מאז’ links the firmnes…

Bread of the Angels· Essay 1

From the section about the manna. The Sefat Emet begins by grounding his teaching in the Torah portion describing the manna. It is stated in the Midrash that the Children of Israel merited the manna because our father Abraham fed bread to t…

Shabbos Awakens Inner Desire· Essay 2

In the Midrash: “You open Your hand and satisfy every living being with desire—each according to what he asks.” The Sefat Emet cites the Midrash, which teaches that God provides not only sustenance, but the specific desire each creature see…

Knowing Through Not Knowing· Essay 3

“In the verse: ‘And each man said to his fellow: It is manna, for they did not know what it was…’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the people's bewilderment—‘they did not know what it was’—is itself the starting point for understanding…

Infinite Letters of Torah· Essay 1

“Then sang… and they said, saying.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the double expression, indicating layers of meaning within the act of singing and speaking. As it is written: “Who can recount the mighty acts of the Lord, can make heard a…

Faith Leading to Song· Essay 2

“It is written: ‘They believed in His words; then they sang His praise.’” The Sefat Emet teaches that the song at the sea emerged specifically from their faith—belief opened the gate to song. “For through ‘they believed.’” The act of believ…

Exalted Above All Loftiness· Essay 3

I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed, triumphed. The Sefat Emet begins by noting the doubling of “triumph,” signaling two forms of divine exaltation. Exaltation means elevation. He clarifies that “gā’ut” refers to being lifted abov…