Spiritual Vision at the Red Sea

בענין קי"ס ויהי בשלח לשון צרה כמ"ש בזוה"ק מאן דשביק פולחנא כו'.

Concerning the splitting of the sea: “Vayehi beshalach” is a language of distress, as the Zohar says, “One who abandons the service…”

The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that the verse hints to constriction or distress, reflecting the spiritual tension created when one turns away from higher divine service.

וי"ל עוד כי בעודם במצרים הי' לבנ"י מעלה יתירה כשושנה בין החוחים.

It may further be said that while they were still in Egypt, Israel possessed an elevated quality, like a rose among thorns.

Even amidst impurity, Israel retained an inner purity and distinction, protected like a delicate flower surrounded by harshness.

ועתה שנבדלו להיות עבדי ה' ראו שפלות הכנתם.

But now, when they were separated to become servants of God, they perceived the lowliness of their own preparedness.

Upon ascending to a higher spiritual calling, they realized how unrefined they still were.

והי' אח"כ הנס דקי"ס בגוף נפשות בנ"י.

And afterward, the miracle of the splitting of the sea occurred within the very bodies and souls of Israel.

The miracle was not only external but transformative within their inner being.

לכן כ' את ישועת ה' אשר יעשה לכם דייקא.

Therefore it is written: “The salvation of God that He will perform for you”—specifically for you.

The salvation was tailored to their inner condition, shaping them spiritually.

ויש לרמוז דכ' הכא אשר יעשה. וכ' התם אשר יעשה אותם האדם וחי בהם.

One may allude to this by noting that here it says “which He will do,” and elsewhere “which a person shall do and live by them.”

The same phrase hints that this divine act infused them with life, like the mitzvot that sustain the soul.

לרמוז שהי' זה ישועה בנפשות בנ"י להחיותם בקדושת ה'.

This hints that the salvation was within the souls of Israel, to enliven them with God’s holiness.

Their inner vitality was renewed and elevated.

וזכו אח"כ לאמונה.

And afterward they merited faith.

The inner transformation opened them to true, deep emunah.

וכ' וירא ישראל את היד הגדולה היינו שזכו לראות הנפלאות בעצמם והוא מעלה רבה.

And it is written: “Israel saw the great hand”—meaning they merited to behold the wonders within themselves, and this is a great level.

They perceived the miracle not only outwardly but as an internal revelation.

ובוודאי בעין הגשמיי א"י לראות נפלאות ה' שהם למעלה מהטבע וע"ז כתיב עין לא ראתה כו' יעשה למחכה לו.

Certainly, with physical eyes one cannot see God’s wonders, which transcend nature, and regarding this it is written: “No eye has seen… what He will do for those who await Him.”

Spiritual vision is required to perceive transcendent divine acts.

כי צריכין לזה עינים זכים לא עיני בשר כמונו.

For one needs purified eyes, not eyes of flesh like ours.

Only refined perception can grasp such miracles.

וע"ז הבטיחם משה רבינו ע"ה התיצבו וראו את ישועת ה'.

And Moses assured them: “Stand firm and see the salvation of God.”

He promised them the gift of elevated perception.

וזה הי' השנות הנס דקי"ס שיתמשכו בנ"י אחר פנימיות הנס וכמ"ש במ"א ע"פ נתת ליראיך נס להתנוסס כו'.

And this was the change brought by the miracle of the splitting of the sea, that Israel would follow after the inner aspect of the miracle, as written elsewhere on “You gave those who fear You a banner to be raised…”

The miracle served as a spiritual banner, drawing them upward toward its inner light.

היינו לקבל הנס ולהתרומם להתמשך אחר הארת הנס ואז יש שירה כנ"ל.

Meaning: to receive the miracle, to be uplifted, to be drawn after its illumination—and then there is song, as explained above.

Only when the miracle penetrates inwardly can true song arise.

The Sefat Emet teaches that the splitting of the sea was an inner salvation, granting Israel purified perception and the ability to be elevated by the miracle’s inner light, culminating in song.