Pharaoh finally sends Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt. With pillars of cloud and fire, G-d leads them toward Eretz Yisrael on a circuitous route, avoiding the Pelishtim (Philistines). Pharaoh regrets the loss of so many slaves, and chases after the Jews with his army. The Jews are very afraid as the Egyptians draw close, but G-d protects them. Moshe raises his staff, G-d splits the sea, and the Jews cross safely. Pharaoh, his heart hardened by G-d, commands his army to pursue, whereupon the waters crash down upon the Egyptian army. Moshe and Miriam lead the men and women, respectively, in a song of thanks. After three days' travel, only to find bitter waters at Marah, the people complain. Moshe miraculously produces potable water. In Marah they receive certain mitzvahs. The people complain that they ate better food in Egypt. Hashem sends quail for meat and provides manna, miraculous bread that falls from the sky every day except on Shabbat. On Friday, a double portion descends to supply the Shabbat needs. No one is able to obtain more than his daily portion, but manna collected on Friday suffices for two days so that the Jews can rest on Shabbat. Some manna is set aside as a memorial for future generations. When the Jews again complain about a lack of water, Moshe miraculously produces water from a rock. Then Amalek attacks. Joshua leads the Jews in battle, and Moshe prays for their welfare.

PARSHA INSIGHTS

Abiding Presence

Was it for lack of graves in Egypt that you took us out...?” (14:11)

Parshas B’Shalach is about memory...
It’s about a people who have witnessed miracles that shook the world — the plagues, the Exodus, the Splitting of the Sea—and yet, only days after each of these events, they forget.

At the sea, they panic. They complain. They say, “Was it for lack of graves in Egypt that you took us out…?” After the sea splits and their enemies drown, just days later, they complain about the lack of water, then about the food…. (Chapters 15-16).

How can you forget something so overwhelming?
But Parshas B’Shalach isn’t really about forgetting facts.
It’s about forgetting presence.
Amalek attacks them b’derech, on the way — when the Jewish People are tired, disoriented, and unsure of themselves. Amalek’s power is always the same: to make you forget that Hashem is with you now, not just in the past.

Towards the end of her life, my mother began to forget things. For the last five years, communication became harder and harder.
Anyone who has been through that knows how painful it is. Visiting can feel like a one-way conversation. And if I’m honest, I sometimes found it very difficult.

Perhaps my one regret is that I didn’t always sit there longer.
I could have read a book. I could have just been there.

But here’s the thing.
Even when memory goes, presence remains.

Before her memory faded, someone from the local health authority came to test her. He gave her a long oral memory exam. When he left, he forgot his umbrella.
My mother said, “That’s the kind of person they send to test me for my memory?”

She hadn’t lost herself.
And maybe she never did.

Parshas B’Shalach reminds us: emunah isn’t remembering yesterday’s miracles.
It’s choosing to be present now—even when the conversation feels one-sided, even when clarity is gone.

Because Hashem doesn’t forget us.
And sometimes, just being there is the greatest act of faith.