On the weekly Torah Portion
G-d will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace (Ex. 14:14)
G-d will only fight your battle on the condition that you "hold your peace" - remain quiet and avoid controversy and disagreement amongst yourselves. (Shaar Bat-Rabim)
The one came not near the other all the night (Ex. 14:20)
As the Talmud relates, the ministering angels wanted to sing songs of praise as the Egyptians were drowning in the Red Sea. However, G-d stopped them by pointing out the inappropriateness of rejoicing at a time when "the work of My hands is drowning." An analogy is given of a serious yet necessary operation to save a patient's life. During the painful surgery, there is no room for rejoicing. Only after its successful completion can one begin to offer praise and speak of its benefits. (Yeshuot Malko)
And they believed in G-d and in Moses His servant...Then Moses sang... (Ex. 14:31, 15:1)
It was precisely because the Jews believed in G-d and that Moses was His servant, that Moses was able to sing the "Song on Crossing the Red Sea." For having faith in the tzadik (righteous person) actually empowers the tzadik. (Degel Machane Efraim)
And the waters were a wall unto them (Ex. 14:22)
When a Jew observes Torah and mitzvot faithfully to the extent that he is willing to jump into the sea, not only does the "sea" disperse, but it is transformed into a protective wall that safeguards him.
