5783/2023
Parashat BeShalach opens up by saying “וַיְהִי בְּשַׁלַּח פַּרְעֹה אֶת־הָעָם וְלֹא־נָחָם אֱלֹהִים דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּים” (Shemot 13:17). When Paroh let the Jews go, Hashem didn’t send them towards the Pelishtim. This poses a question, shouldn’t Bnei Yisrael be able to defeat the Pelishtim? If they were able to defeat Sichon and Og, two giants, why wouldn’t they be able to defeat the Pelishtim?
Later in the Parashah, Bnei Yisrael cries out to Moshe saying, “הֲמִבְּלִי אֵין־קְבָרִים בְּמִצְרַיִם לְקַחְתָּנוּ לָמוּת בַּמִּדְבָּר מַה־זֹּאת עָשִׂיתָ לָּנוּ לְהוֹצִיאָנוּ מִמִּצְרָיִם” (Shemot 14:11)? Is the reason you are taking us out of Egypt because of the lack of graves in Egypt? Why are you taking us out!? Bnei Yisrael is worried that they are going to die, yet Moshe Rabbeinu’s response does not seem to help. He says to them that they will never see the Egyptians ever again. If Bnei Yisrael are dead, of course they won’t see the Egyptians ever again!
After Bnei Yisrael cross the Yam Suf, they complain some more. This time they want water. Hashem provides them with water and then explains to them His abilities. However, Hashem uses an obscure term. He says to them, “כָל־הַמַּחֲלָה אֲשֶׁר־שַׂמְתִּי בְמִצְרַיִם לֹא־אָשִׂים עָלֶיךָ כִּי אֲנִי יְהֹוָה רֹפְאֶךָ” (Shemot: 15:26). All of the diseases that I put upon Mitzrayim, I won’t put upon you for I am Hashem your healer. Healer?! Wouldn’t it have made more sense to say אלקיך, your G-d or מושיעך, your Savior? In fact, this is the only time in the Torah that Hashem is referred to as a רופא, healer. Hashem saved them from Mitzrayim, he didn’t heal them!
The answer is that Hashem did heal them. Bnei Yisrael is not suffering physically, they are suffering mentally. Hashem uses the word heal because healing happens gradually. After going through such mental hardship, Bnei Yisrael naturally will not be fine right away, it takes time. Trauma can’t be overcome so quickly and that is why the term ‘healer’ is used.
This also explains Moshe Rabbeinu’s response to Bnei Yisrael thinking they will die. If they were worried about the Egyptians physically hurting them, Moshe’s response would make no sense. Obviously you won’t see the Egyptians again if you are dead. Rather, Moshe is responding to their psychological challenges. Bnei Yisrael is fearful of the Mitzrim, after all the stress the Egyptians put on them. Moshe is saying that this chapter is over, they don’t have to be worried anymore. They will never be in a horrific situation like that again. No longer will they be slaves.
Lastly, the idea of trauma explains why they chose to avoid the Pelishtim. In fact, it is explicit in the text: “פֶּן־יִנָּחֵם הָעָם בִּרְאֹתָם מִלְחָמָה וְשָׁבוּ מִצְרָיְמָה” (Shemot 13:17). The people may have a change of heart and want to return to Egypt after seeing the war. Nowhere does it mention Bnei Yisrael’s inability to defeat them. In fact, Bnei Yisrael probably could beat them. However, they are not in the right mental state to wage war. The mere sight of war would have them running back to Egypt.
There is much to learn from how Bnei Yisrael is treated. After people endure trauma, it takes time to heal. We need to be aware and treat these people with compassion. Physical healing may not take so long, but psychological healing does.