This week is known as Shabbos Shira, because it is the Parsha that contains the Shira al Hayam, also known as Az Yashir, which the Jews sang at the Reed Sea after the Egyptians were all drowned and they saw their tormentors could finally no longer get to them.
The name also makes us think of birds, who sing and have a special place in this portion as well. When Dasan and Aviram placed portions of Mon (heavenly manna) outside the camp so they could say Moshe was wrong and that it DID fall on Shabbos, birds came and ate it. In appreciation of this, there is a custom to put out food for the birds on Friday, even though the birds didn’t realize they were doing anyone a favor.
The common theme here is proper use of the mouth. In the case of a Metzora, one who developed tzara’as (spiritual leprosy), birds are used for the sacrifice to chastise people who use their mouths inappropriately by signaling that just as birds twitter incessantly, people who speak Lashon Hara or gossip need to learn to stop it.
Instead of complaining, the Jews at the Reed Sea used their mouths to praise Hashem, which is the proper way to use them.
Each Shabbos, after we say Az Yashir, we say Nishmas Kol Chai. In this tefilla, we say, “Were our mouths as full as the sea...” Perhaps just as the sea is full of water and no other liquid, we should strive to ensure our mouths are filled only with Torah, kind words, and praise of Hashem.
