And they were very fearful, and the Children of Israel cried out (Ex. 14:10)
The reason the Children of Israel cried out was the fact that "they were fearful." It disturbed them greatly that they were afraid of the mortal Egyptians, rather than only of G-d. (Ma'or VaShemesh)
And the people quarreled with Moses and they said, "Give us water" (Ex. 17:2)
Why was it considered a sin to have asked for water? What else could the Jews in the desert have been expected to do when their supply ran out? However, the Torah states, "And there was no water for the people to drink, and the people quarreled with Moses"; only later are we informed "and the people thirsted there for water." From this we learn that they started arguing with Moses even before they became thirsty. (Chidushei HaRim)
Reprinted from the Parshat Beshalach 5761/2001 edition of L’Chaim.
