Faith Beyond Understanding

ובמדרש ויאמינו בדבריו ישירו תהלתו.

And in the Midrash: “They believed in His words; they sang His praise.”

The verse is cited to show that belief preceded the song at the Sea.

אעפ"י דכתיב ויאמן העם חזרו ולא האמינו.

Although it is written that “the people believed,” they later turned back and did not believe.

The Sefat Emet notes the fluctuation of faith among Israel in Egypt.

אבותינו במצרים לא השכילו כו' ע"ש.

Our ancestors in Egypt did not attain understanding, etc., as stated there.

The lack of deep comprehension weakened the stability of their faith.

דאין כל אמונה שוה.

For not all forms of faith are equal.

There are gradations of belief—some superficial, some rooted in knowledge.

ואדוני מו"ז ז"ל הראה לנו פרש"י ז"ל על אומרם ז"ל מי שאינו מאמין בתה"מ מן התורה כו'

And my master and grandfather showed us Rashi’s teaching on the statement: one who does not believe in the resurrection from the Torah…

He points to a classic example of faith that must be grounded in Torah itself.

אע"פ שמאמין אם אינו בכח התורה מה לנו ולאמונתו ע"ש.

Although he believes, if it is not through the power of the Torah, what value is his belief to us?

Faith without Torah-rootedness is considered lacking.

וז"ש לא השכילו.

And this is the meaning of “they did not understand.”

Their faith lacked the anchoring of comprehension through Torah.

ואח"כ כתיב ויאמינו בדבריו כי' בכח הנהגתו ית' את העולם ובכח התורה כדכ' בה' ובמשה עבדו.

Afterward it is written: “They believed in His words,” meaning through His governance of the world and through the power of Torah, as it says “in God and in Moses His servant.”

This is a more complete form of belief, rooted in both divine providence and Torah.

ולעולם כן הוא מקודם צריך להיות אמונה גם בחסרון הדעת.

And it is always so: first there must be faith even in the absence of understanding.

Initial belief precedes intellectual grasp; the heart leads before the mind follows.

אח"כ זוכין גם לאמונה אמיתית מתוך הדעת.

Afterward one merits true belief that emerges from understanding.

The higher level of faith arises once knowledge is integrated.

ובכח אמונה זו שהי' להם עד סוף כל הדורות הכינו דרך ותקונים לכל הדורות עד לעתיד ה' ימלוך לעולם

And through this faith they had, they prepared a path and rectifications for all generations until the future, when God will reign forever.

Their faith established spiritual pathways lasting for all time.

ודשו חז"ל אלו אמרו ה' מלך לא שלטה בהם אומה כו'.

And the Sages taught: had they said “The Lord is King,” no nation would have ruled over them.

This highlights the power of perfect faith and declaration.

ואפשר שמ"מ הוא שבחן של בנ"י שקיבלו עליהם לתקן כל הגלות.

It is possible that nevertheless this is the praise of Israel, that they accepted upon themselves to repair all exile.

Israel undertook the mission of spiritual rectification throughout history.

שהגם שישלטו בהם האומות אעפ"כ בסוף יהי' נתקן הכל בכח מעשיהם הטובים של הצדיקים.

For although the nations may rule over them, in the end all will be rectified through the righteous deeds of the tzaddikim.

Redemption is assured through accumulated righteousness.

וכאשר אבות הקדושים בחרו להם הגלות והכל כדי לברר כבוד שמו ית' בכל מקום.

And just as the holy ancestors chose exile in order to clarify His glory everywhere.

The patriarchs modeled the cosmic purpose of dispersion.

ויש לכל הדורות חלק בשירה זו כאשר רמזו חז"ל אפילו עוברים אמרו שירה ה' ממקור ישראל.

And every generation has a share in this song, as the Sages hinted: even fetuses sang the song—“the Lord from the source of Israel.”

All souls were present at the Red Sea and partook in the song.

כי כל הדורות היו כלולין אז כמו עובר בבטן אמו.

For all generations were included then, like a fetus in its mother’s womb.

Future souls were spiritually contained within that moment.

והרמז במקהלות ברכו שע"י ההתאחדות יכולין לעורר תמיד כח השירה ההוא.

And the hint is in “In assemblies bless…”—that through unity one can always awaken that same power of song.

Communal harmony reactivates the original song of redemption.

ובמד' כשם שהם טיהרו לבם כו'.

And in the Midrash: just as they purified their hearts, etc.

Their inner preparation serves as a model for later generations.

משמע שבכח הכנתם יכולין למצוא הטהרה בכל יום לדורות.

This implies that through their preparation one can find purity every day for generations.

Their spiritual work created perpetual access to renewal.

דאיתא מצות שקבלו עליהם בשמחה עדיין עושין בשמחה.

For it is taught: commandments accepted with joy are still performed with joy.

Joyful beginnings leave lasting spiritual impact.

לכן יש תמיד התחדשות בשירה זו.

Therefore there is always renewal in this song.

The song of the Sea continually regenerates spiritually.

כמ"ש שירה חדשה שבחו כו'.

As it is written: “A new song they praised…”

The newness reflects ongoing revelation.

עי"ז שנתקרבו אז בשמחה רבה.

Through this, they drew close then with great joy.

Their joyous closeness to God is the source of lasting spiritual renewal.

The passage explains the stages of faith—from pre‑intellectual belief to understanding-based faith—and how Israel’s faith at the Sea created lasting spiritual pathways for all generations. Their unity, joy, and song established enduring renewal and purification accessible in every era.