Sea Splitting Reveals Divine Sovereignty

ענין קי"ס אחר יצ"מ.

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.

כי יצ"מ הי' לצורך גאולת ישראל בלבד.

For the exodus was solely for the sake of redeeming Israel.

The redemption from Egypt addressed the liberation of Israel alone.

אבל לא נתברר עדיין כבוד מלכותו ית' אשר היא בכל משלה.

But the glory of the Divine kingship, which rules over everything, had not yet been clarified.

The full revelation of God's universal sovereignty had not yet been made manifest at the time of the exodus.

להודיע שגם כח פרעה וחילו וכל כח הסט"א הכל ע"פ השגחה עליונה.

To make known that even the power of Pharaoh and his armies, and every power of the Other Side, all function through the supreme providence.

The splitting of the sea was meant to show that even forces that appear opposed to holiness operate only under divine supervision.

ובקי"ס נתברר זה.

And at the splitting of the sea this was clarified.

The miracle revealed unmistakably that God directs all powers, even those that oppose Israel.

[והוא מ"ש יתרו עתה ידעתי כו' כי בדבר אשר זדו עליהם].

[As Jethro said: “Now I know… for in the very thing they schemed, it came upon them.”]

Jethro’s statement is cited as evidence that the events at the sea demonstrated divine mastery over those who sought to harm Israel.

וזה ענין השירה מה שביררו בנ"י כי כל הבריאה היא המשכה אחת מרום מעלות עד תהום רבה.

And this is the meaning of the Song, in which Israel clarified that all of creation is a single continuous flow from the highest realms to the deepest depths.

The Song at the Sea expresses the insight that God's rule encompasses every layer of existence without interruption.

וזהו כי גאה גאה.

And this is the meaning of “for He is exalted above the exalted.”

God’s exaltedness is not like human pride; it transcends all other forms of exaltation without negating them.

כי מלך ב"ו המתגאה על מלך אחר. גאותו מבטל גיאות השני.

For when a mortal king exalts himself over another king, his exaltation cancels the other’s.

Human authority is competitive—one ruler’s pride diminishes the authority of another.

אבל גיאות הקב"ה הוא בעוד קיים גיאות המלכיות שבארץ.

But the exaltation of the Holy One, blessed be He, exists even while the exaltation of earthly kingdoms remains.

God’s sovereignty does not erase or negate worldly powers; it encompasses them.

ועכ"ז הוא נורא עלילה עליהם. ועושה בהם כרצונו.

And nevertheless, He is awesome in His workings upon them and acts with them as He wills.

Despite allowing earthly powers to exist, God guides them entirely according to His purpose.

וז"ש סוס ורוכבו רמה כו'.

And this is what is meant by “Horse and rider He cast…”

This verse expresses that even the might of Egypt, symbolized by horse and rider, is under divine control and can be overturned at His command.

Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that while the exodus redeemed Israel, the splitting of the sea revealed God’s absolute sovereignty over all forces, including those opposed to holiness. The Song at the Sea expresses that creation is one continuous divine flow, and God’s exaltation transcends all worldly powers without negating them.