Exodus 13:17-17:16

This week’s portion, pronounced b’-sha-LAKH, meaning ‘when he let go’, tells of The Children of Israel’s early adventures in the desert, before receiving God’s law at Mount Sinai. Pharaoh once more changes his mind about the Hebrews leaving, and sends his army out after them. God splits the sea, allowing the Israelites safe passage and drowning Pharaoh’s forces. All is not smooth, however, and the Israelites challenge God several times as they encounter strife along the way.

Topic 1: Haftarah – Shirat Devorah and the Kibbutzniks From the Underground Bullet Factory
There is no stronger symbol of Israel’s remarkable sense of communal responsibility than the kibbutz movement. Nevertheless, one of the most important kibbutzim that played a pivotal role in the formation of the state wasn’t even a real kibbutz, but rather a fake one! Under the guise of a kibbutz laundromat that needed to operate…
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Topic 2: Weekly Torah Portion: God and Israel at War
This week’s Torah portion begins with the Exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt and ends with the war against Amalek. And war is a theme that runs through this week’s portion in a very interesting way. The portion begins…
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Topic 3: Weekly Torah Portion: Holy Acronyms
The following is a taste of our Israel Bible Reading Plan. Follow the weekly portion with summaries, insights and lively conversation. To register, click here. Throughout the night, God keeps His angel and His Pillar of Cloud between the Israelite camp and the Egyptians. Moses holds…
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Topic 4: Water from a Rock
Once again, the Children of Israel thirst for water and complain to Moses. They demand water from him, but he turns them away, telling them they are testing God. Again the Israelites accuse Moses of trying to kill them in the desert. Moses turns to God for help, and He instructs him to take…
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Topic 5: Fleeing Egypt
Our portion relates that God opted not to take the Israelites into the Land of Israel by the most direct route, as it would take them through Philistine territory and possibly discourage the people, sending them running back to Egypt. Instead, carrying the bones of Joseph, the Children of Israel are led towards the Red…
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