Parashat Beshalah- Celebrating Pharaoh’s Downfall

“Az Yashir,” the famous song of praise which Beneh Yisrael sang after the miracle of the splitting of the sea, begins, “Ashira L’Hashem Ki Ga’o Ga’a, Sus Ve’rochebo Rama Ba’yam” – “I shall sing to G-d for He has risen ever high; He cast into the sea the horse and its rider” (15:1). This opening segment of “Az Yashir” was sung also by Miriam as she led the women of Beneh Yisrael in song (15:20). Rav Eliezer Ashkenazi (1512-1585), in his work “Ma’aseh Hashem,” offered an insightful explanation of this verse. The Gemara (Sanhedrin 39b) famously teaches that after the miracle of the sea, the angels in heavens wanted to sing a song of praise to Hashem, but Hashem prevented them. He said, “My creatures are drowning at sea, and you will sing praise before Me?!” Although the Egyptians certainly deserved to perish because of what they did to Beneh Yisrael, nevertheless, they were human beings, and every human being is G-d’s handiwork. Therefore, it was inappropriate for the angels to sing to G-d for the great miracle while the Egyptians, G-d’s creatures, drowned. In this opening verse of “Az Yashir,” Beneh Yisrael explain why they nevertheless were singing Shira (song of praise) – “Ki Ga’o Ga’a.” The Ma’aseh Hashem writes that this phrase describes not Hashem, as is conventionally understood, but rather Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh made himself supreme, believing he was the most powerful being in the world, and under nobody’s control. He elevated himself to the highest pedestal of authority. This is why he stubbornly refused to allow Beneh Yisrael to leave until he was forced to let them. He brazenly defied G-d, and even denied His authority, telling Moshe, “Mi Hashem Asher Eshma Be’kolo” – “Who is G-d that I should heed His voice?” (Shemot 5:2). This, the Ma’aseh Hashem explains, is the meaning of the verse, “Ashira L’Hashem Ki Ga’o Ga’a.” While generally song after the demise of enemies would be inappropriate, in this instance, it was warranted, “Ki Ga’o Ga’a” – because the enemy that met his downfall had prided himself on being greater than G-d. Pharaoh’s demise was an occasion to be celebrated because it restored G-d’s honor. Beneh Yisrael sang not to celebrate the Egyptians’ death, but rather to give honor and glory to Hashem, whose singular greatness and authority had now been shown to the entire world. Of course, we read “Az Yashir” each day as part of our Pesukeh De’zimra service, with which we introduce the daily Shaharit prayer. Before we stand before G-d in prayer, we remind ourselves of His unlimited power and ability to help us. We take a few moments to reflect on the fact that no person and no situation is more powerful than G-d. No matter what kind of difficulty we face, no matter what kind of assistance we require, we can turn to Hashem for the help we need. Just as Pharaoh thought that he was more powerful than G-d, so might we on occasion make the mistake of thinking that a problem or crisis is “too difficult” for G-d to handle. We therefore preface our morning prayers with the song of “Az Yashir,” reassuring ourselves that Hashem is fully capable of resolving any problem we face, and giving us the help that we need.