5786/2026
When you hear someone mention Parashat BeShalach your first thought will likely be about Yetziyat Mitzrayim, how Hashem performed one of the biggest miracles of our nation's history (which we also read on Pesach’s seventh day. Or perhaps, you will think about the end of Beshalach, namely Bnei Yisrael’s great victory over Amalek, a cunning nation who would continue to attack us in later generations, which we also read on Purim day. However, we should not overlook the events at Marah. The Torah says, “VaYitzak El Hashem Vayore’ihu Hashem Eitz VaYashleich El HaMayim VaYimtku HaMayim Sham Sam Lo Chok U’Mishpat VeSham Nisahu,” “He cried to Hashem, and Hashem showed him a tree; he threw it in the waters, and the waters became sweet; there He set down for them a statute and a judgment, and there He tested them” (Shemot 15:25).
Rashi analyzes this Pasuk and interprets that in Marah, Hashem gave to Bnei Yisrael some laws including Shabbat, Parah Adumah, and Dinim. Ramban asks a famous question on Rashi, why does Hashem hint to the Parshi’ot he gave them to learn and not state them explicitly?
Ramban answers that the commands at Marah were not yet full-fledged mitzvot. Rather, Marah was a preview for how - in the future - Hashem would command them, just like how he taught the Torah to Avraham Avinu. This method trained Bnei Yisrael in the Mitzvot and tested whether they will accept them with joy and a good heart. It is this test that the Pasuk mentions with the words “VeSham Nisahu.” Hashem made Bnei Yisrael aware that he would still command them in Mitzvot as it says in the next Pasuk: “Eim Shamo’a Tishma LiKol Hashem Elokecha … VeHa’Aznita LiMitzvotav” “If you listen to the voice of Hashem your G-d… and follow his Mitzvot (Shemot: 15:26).
Ramban teaches us a valuable lesson regarding how to do Mitzvot. Doing Mitzvot is so much more than performing the physical act. Marah teaches us that we must have the correct mindset of being happy to do Mitzvot to achieve a closer relationship with Hakodosh Baruch Hu.
Many of us sing at our Shabbat table Menucha ViSimcha. This song encompasses what the Ramban is teaching us. As the title reflects, it is entirely possible to keep Shabbat’s Mitzvot by resting and so on, but Shabbat is so much more than that. You must have Simcha! I encourage everyone to take a few seconds during davening or kiddush to step back and think, “Do I have the proper intentions during this Mitzvah?” Let us realize that we have the privilege of worshipping Hashem and to be BISIMCHA in that opportunity.