Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe
Parsha Pages | January 22, 2024
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Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe

Parsha Pages | December 10, 2025

Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe

QUESTION: How do we explain the four groups by the sea and each group’s error of understanding?

ANSWER:

Different CampsType of AvodahSpiritual ErrorMoshe’s ResponseLet us plunge into the seaEscapists
Retreat from the world into the waters of TorahDo not care about the world around oneselfStand firm and see the salvation of HaShemLet us return to EgyptConformists
Against one’s will, they do mitzvos in misery as if doing harsh laborLacking Chayos and Simchah in doing MitzvosThough you see the Egyptians today, you will never see them againLet us wage warFighters
Fights against the world due to personal nature and own decisionDistracting from one’s missionG-d will fight for youLet us cry out (to G-d in prayer)Believers
High level of self-nullification but depending solely on G-dLacking work and initiativeYou shall remain silent

Only through the command of HaShem to journey forward, did the water split. Thus, our Divine service must be drawing close to Har Sinai, yet be involved with the world (not joining one of the 4 groups).

(876 , עמ'ג לקוטי שיחות כרך)

QUESTION: Why was Miriam referred with the title of the Prophetess, when leading the women in Shirah?

ANSWER: Miriam already established as a Prophet from earlier events, was able to decide that the women should also say Shirah. Miriam symbolizes the nature of the advantage of women: support their men (sharing their mission) and also reveal their own special nature. (55 ' , עמיא לקוטי שיחות כרך)

QUESTION: How to understand the verse אשירה (single) in the method that the Shirah was said?

ANSWER: The Shirah was sung in a method reflecting unity. Dispute about the manner the Shira was sung by the Jews reflected the levels of unity between the Jews with Moshe. Connection to the Nasi of the generation reveals the soul’s Yechida (נקודת היהדות).

(69' , עמלא לקוטי שיחות כרך )

The Song at the Sea אז ישיר משה ובני ישראל

  • Moshe only sang the song and the people answered אשירה לה' after each verse
    Moshe was the leader and the Jews were nullified to him
    Yechida nullifies the intellect
  • Moshe sang each verse and the Jews repeated after him
    Unity by Moshe leading and the Jews following
    Yechida affects the intellect, which is transparent
  • Moshe began each verse and the Jews completed each verse with him
    Jews reach to Moshe’s level to the extent that they prophesized together
    Yechida permeates the entire being so that intellect appreciates as Yechida does

BEN CHAMESH L’MIKRA בס"ד
- הענינים מלקו"ש השבועי ועוד -
נשמת אפרים לע"נ ר' אפרים ב"ר אברהם ע"ה האפמאן
▪ Resource to encourage the study of the Rebbe’s sichos ▪
Designed for use in the classroom or at the Shabbos Table

Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe

QUESTION: How do we explain the four groups by the sea and each group’s error of understanding?

ANSWER:

Different CampsType of AvodahSpiritual ErrorMoshe’s ResponseLet us plunge into the seaEscapists
Retreat from the world into the waters of TorahDo not care about the world around oneselfStand firm and see the salvation of HaShemLet us return to EgyptConformists
Against one’s will, they do mitzvos in misery as if doing harsh laborLacking Chayos and Simchah in doing MitzvosThough you see the Egyptians today, you will never see them againLet us wage warFighters
Fights against the world due to personal nature and own decisionDistracting from one’s missionG-d will fight for youLet us cry out (to G-d in prayer)Believers
High level of self-nullification but depending solely on G-dLacking work and initiativeYou shall remain silent

Only through the command of HaShem to journey forward, did the water split. Thus, our Divine service must be drawing close to Har Sinai, yet be involved with the world (not joining one of the 4 groups).

(876 , עמ'ג לקוטי שיחות כרך)

QUESTION: Why was Miriam referred with the title of the Prophetess, when leading the women in Shirah?

ANSWER: Miriam already established as a Prophet from earlier events, was able to decide that the women should also say Shirah. Miriam symbolizes the nature of the advantage of women: support their men (sharing their mission) and also reveal their own special nature. (55 ' , עמיא לקוטי שיחות כרך)

QUESTION: How to understand the verse אשירה (single) in the method that the Shirah was said?

ANSWER: The Shirah was sung in a method reflecting unity. Dispute about the manner the Shira was sung by the Jews reflected the levels of unity between the Jews with Moshe. Connection to the Nasi of the generation reveals the soul’s Yechida (נקודת היהדות).

(69' , עמלא לקוטי שיחות כרך )

The Song at the Sea אז ישיר משה ובני ישראל

  • Moshe only sang the song and the people answered אשירה לה' after each verse
    Moshe was the leader and the Jews were nullified to him
    Yechida nullifies the intellect
  • Moshe sang each verse and the Jews repeated after him
    Unity by Moshe leading and the Jews following
    Yechida affects the intellect, which is transparent
  • Moshe began each verse and the Jews completed each verse with him
    Jews reach to Moshe’s level to the extent that they prophesized together
    Yechida permeates the entire being so that intellect appreciates as Yechida does

BEN CHAMESH L’MIKRA בס"ד
- הענינים מלקו"ש השבועי ועוד -
נשמת אפרים לע"נ ר' אפרים ב"ר אברהם ע"ה האפמאן
▪ Resource to encourage the study of the Rebbe’s sichos ▪
Designed for use in the classroom or at the Shabbos Table

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Parsha Pages | January 22, 2024