5786/2026
Parashat Beshalach marks one of the most significant emotional shifts in the Torah. At the splitting of the sea, Bnei Yisrael experience a moment of total clarity. They see Hashem’s authority openly, watch Egypt fall, and finally feel free. Our response is Shirat HaYam, a song filled with confidence and faith. But almost immediately afterward, that faith begins to fade. Complaints replace singing, and not long after, Amalek attacks. The Torah moves quickly from a spiritual high to a difficult reality.
Shirat HaYam is more than just a song of thanks. It represents a moment when we truly believe. For the first time, we don’t cry out in fear or doubt about what will happen next. We sing because we feel close to Hashem and understand that He is guiding us. When we say, “Zeh Keili, This is my God,” it shows that our faith is personal, not just something they heard about from others. In that moment, everything feels clear.
However, that feeling doesn’t last. Soon after crossing the sea, we reach Marah and find bitter water. Even though we just experienced huge miracles, we immediately begin to complain. Not long after that, we worry about food, even though Hashem sends the Manna every day. Our fear returns as soon as things become uncomfortable. This does not mean we forgot the miracles. It means that faith is hard to hold onto when life becomes challenging.
Amalek appears at exactly this point. The Torah places this attack here to teach us a valuable lesson. Amalek doesn’t fight as Egypt did. Egypt tried to control the Jewish people physically. Amalek attacks our mindset. They strike when we are tired, confused, and unsure. Amalek represents doubt, the idea that nothing really has meaning and that the miracles didn’t change anything. It directly contradicts Shirat HaYam’s message.
The battle with Amalek shows how fragile faith can be. The Torah tells us that when Moshe raises his hands, the Jewish people win, and when his hands fall, Amalek gains strength. This shows that the war isn’t only physical. It depends on whether we stay focused on Hashem. Faith here isn’t about remembering past miracles, but about choosing to believe in Hashem in the present.
Parashat Beshalach teaches that faith isn’t constant or automatic. Shirat HaYam shows what faith can look like at its strongest, but Amalek shows how quickly it can weaken. The Torah isn’t criticizing us. It’s being honest about the difficulty of genuine growth. True faith isn’t just singing when the sea splits. It’s holding onto that song even when life becomes uncertain. Perhaps this is why we say the Shirat HaYam each day.