Parashah Roundup: Beshalach 5770

by Steve Brizel

The Crossing of the Red Sea

R Yitzchak Etshalom explores the journey of the Jewish People from Egypt to Sinai: link (PDF)

R Avishai David discusses whether Pharoah had free will: link (audio)

R Sir Jonathan Sacks discusses the necessity of the circuitous route taken by the Jewish People from Egypt to Mt. Sinai: link

R Ephraim Buchwald discusses why Pharoah sent the Jewish People from Egypt: link

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R Yitzchak Adlerstein, explains that the journeys of the Jewish People that commenced with the 49 days of Sefiras HaOmer and continued with the 42 stops in the desert were necessary components of the redemption of the Jewish People: link

R Berel Wein explains the eternal nature of the Shiras HaYam: link

R Yissocher Frand reminds us that we have a choice between looking at a glass half full or half empty: link

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R Avigdor Nevenzal explains why Bitachon, Emunah and the precious nature of time and its proper exercise are critical themes in the Parsha: link

R Michael Rosensweig and R Shlomoh Riskin discusses why Tefilah immediately prior to entering the Red Sea was an improper response: link 1, link 2

R Baruch Simon discusses the meaning of Shmos 15:1: link (audio)

R Asher Brander and R Dovid Horwitz explore the nature of the praise offered by Moshe Rabbeinu and the incomparability of God in Shmos 15:11: link 1, link 2, link 3

R Shalom Carmy discusses the challenge of describing God: link (audio)

R Aryeh Leibowitz analyzes the factors of Emunah, intellect and experience: link (audio) and discusses whether a Tzadik must be smart: link (audio)

R Zvi Sobolofsky discusses the complimentary requirements of Hiddur Mitzvah: link

Rav Soloveitchik ZTL, discusses the Halachos and Hashkafa of Krias HaTorah: link (audio)

R Asher Weiss discusses the Halachos of Hallel: link (audio)

R Mordechai Willig discusses the contemporary relevance of the roles of Miriam and Devorah and explains why Krias Yam Suf remains the prototype for the ultimate redemption: link 1, link 2

R Ezra Bick and R Avishai David, based on Ramban's commentary, analyze the unique nature of Manna.and the contrast between Am Yisrael and Bnei Yisrael: link 1, link 2 (audio)

R Avraham Gordimer discusses the significance of the Mitzvos given at Marah: link

R Dovid Gottlieb and R Yonasan Sacks discuss the halachic basis of Seudos Shabbos: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

R Elchanan Adler discusses the relationship between Shabbos and Bchiras Yisrael: link (audio)

R Chaim Eisensteim explores the Halacha of Amirah Lnacri and elevated speech on Shabbos: link (audio)

R Dovid Gottlieb discusses whether we should celebrate the death of Hamas terrorists: link (audio)

Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the causes of the events at Masah and Merivah and the attack by Amalek: link (audio)

R Avraham Gordimer discusses the connection between the Parsha and Shiras Devorah: link (audio)

Tu BiShevat

R Hershel Schachter, R Zvi Sobolofsky , R Beinish Ginsburg and Dr. Michelle J. Levine discuss Halachic and Hashkafic aspects of TuBiShevat: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio), link 3 (audio), link 4 (audio)

Jewish History Special

R Aaron Rakkefet-Rothkoff discusses why Rav Soloveitchik ZTL switched from Agudah to Mizrachi: link (audio), R Nasan Kamenetsky, discusses the evolution of RIETS From Kovno to New York to Bayit Vagan: link (audio)