What Is a Shira?
As we learn about the parshios of yetzias mitzrayim and krias yam suf, I would like to share with you a shiur I gave at the Kollel Boker, on this topic.
As an introduction to the topic of the shira of Az Yashir, it is worthwhile to quote the words of the Ramban in Haazinu, where he explains why Shiras Haazinu is considered a song. He writes that the qualification of being a shira, “a song,” is the fact that it is recited in a special tune, and is also written in a special way, with breaks and spaces which are to show the places where song was added.
In the sefer Tolodos Yitzchak, Rav Yitzchok Karo (uncle of the Beis Yosef) elaborates on this concept and explains that when we wish to sing Hashem’s praises we are in a quandary. If we say too little it looks like we don’t want to thank Hashem. But, if we say too much it is also no good, because we can never really finish praising Hashem, as the Gemara in Megillah tells us. So, we leave a space to show that we cannot ever fathom Hashem’s greatness and we leave it to Him to fill in the blanks.
This brings us to a basic question. How could the Ramban say that they would sing in the middle of the shira? Why is the singing not a hefsek, an unwarranted interruption in the middle of a mitzvah? One could suggest that since this was the method of singing the shira, it is part and parcel of the mitzvah and will not constitute a hefsek. We can also answer with the idea that singing is always considered part of the mitzvah and is not a hefsek. This notion is discussed by the Chofetz Chaim, who uses this to explain the reason for the kohanim singing during duchening. He writes that this is done to ensure that the break for the recital of the yehi ratzon will not be a hefsek.
Where Does the Shira Start?
At first glance we would say that the first pasuk – Az Yashir – is not part of the actual shira. It seems to be just an introduction, just stating the historical background of when they sang. Furthermore, we see that the first pasuk is written as one long line, not in the style of the shira, which has breaks in the middle.
However, the Brisker Rav brings a proof from the words of the Rambam – based on the Meseches Sofrim – who writes that there are 30 lines in the shira, the first line being Az Yashir. He adds that the first pasuk of the shira – Az Yashir – is written in the regular format. So we see clearly that it is a part of the shira.
He adds another proof from the words of the Midrash Raba. Moshe started the shira with the word “az,” because he had sinned, complaining to Hashem, using the word “az,” at the end of parshas Shmos. He, therefore, wished to fix it by singing Hashem’s praises, also using the word “az.” Once again, we see clearly that this pasuk is also part of the shira.
IN SUMMARY
The shira begins with the pasuk “Az Yashir.” The shira is recited in a special tune, and also written in a special way. We leave a space to show that we cannot ever fathom Hashem’s greatness and we leave it to Him to fill in the blanks. Since singing the shira is part of the mitzvah, it is not a hefsek.
Rabbi Scheiner
