The parasha this coming week is B’shalach, which describes the
completion of the exodus from Egypt, the splitting of the Red Sea and the culmination
of many miracles that G-d performed for the Jewish People as they escaped slavery
and bondage and began their journey to freedom. The verses in the parasha
describe the fear that the Israelites had as they approached the Red Sea, with
the hooves of Egyptian Chariots gaining on them. The descriptions conjure up
visions of utter chaos, with over 2 million people feeling like they are on the
brink of disaster. This fear was there despite all the miracles they had
witnessed and all the plagues that had befallen their Egyptian captors but had
not affected them. G-d speaks to Moses in Shmot (Exodus) Chapter 14, Verse 16:
וְאַתָּ֞ה הָרֵ֣ם אֶֽת־מַטְּךָ֗
וּנְטֵ֧ה אֶת־יָדְךָ֛ עַל־הַיָּ֖ם וּבְקָעֵ֑הוּ וְיָבֹ֧אוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
בְּת֥וֹךְ הַיָּ֖ם בַּיַּבָּשָֽׁה׃
And
you lift up your rod and hold out your arm over the sea and split it, so that
the Israelites may march into the sea on dry ground.
Then verse 21 continues:
וַיֵּ֨ט
מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת־יָדוֹ֮ עַל־הַיָּם֒ וַיּ֣וֹלֶךְ ה' ׀ אֶת־הַ֠יָּם בְּר֨וּחַ קָדִ֤ים
עַזָּה֙ כָּל־הַלַּ֔יְלָה וַיָּ֥שֶׂם
אֶת־הַיָּ֖ם לֶחָרָבָ֑ה וַיִּבָּקְע֖וּ הַמָּֽיִם׃ (כב) וַיָּבֹ֧אוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּת֥וֹךְ הַיָּ֖ם בַּיַּבָּשָׁ֑ה
וְהַמַּ֤יִם לָהֶם֙ חֹמָ֔ה מִֽימִינָ֖ם וּמִשְּׂמֹאלָֽם
Then
Moses held out his arm over the sea and the LORD drove back the sea with a
strong east wind all that night, and turned the sea into dry ground. The waters
were split, (22) and the Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters
forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
What appears straightforward here is actually the subject of
a very rich midrashic tradition, with the subtext of what went on in those
crucial minutes at the Red Sea. All the tribes were paralyzed with fear, each
one encouraging the other to be the first to go into the waters to try and
escape. Finally, Nachshon Ben Aminadav from the tribe of Yehuda walks into the
water and to the point that he is almost submerged when the miracle happens,
the sea is split and the people are saved. (There are several versions of the
midrash quoted in various sources, this is a paraphrase). The midrash tells us that
the sea would only split when an act of faith-Emunah- showed that there were
worthy ones in the midst of the nation of Israel.
It is just over a week since the passing of our close friend
Sylvia Fruchter A”H, Zysel bat Moshe Yoseph Hacohen v’Bella. Those who have
followed our travel blog may have noted we have been praying for her to return
to health for over 5 years. It saddens us tremendously that we have lost a
person who meant so much to her friends and family. I would like to share a few
reflections, beginning with the story of Nachshon. In most versions of the
midrash, Nachson wades into the water until it is nearly over his head, and
prays from the depths for God to help him. We are taught by Nachshon’s example
that we are required to have a mixture of both faith with courage to deal with
problems. This embodied Sylvia completely, not just during her battle with
cancer over the past 5 years, but throughout her life. As a preteen, she helped
he mother who ultimately passed away at a young age from cancer; she moved with
her father from Romania to Israel to Montreal, being both high school student
and homemaker; and after marrying Haim, they returned to Montreal to take care
of her father. As they built their life together in Montreal, there were obviously
other challenges, but Sylvia had one way to deal with challenges: with a smile,
with a positive attitude, with faith that things would improve and with courage
to take the steps needed to not just wish things were better but to make things
better. Even during her treatments, she had such tremendous optimism and clear
faith in the professionals taking care of her. This was rewarded by some close
calls with periods of tremendous recovery, and allowed her family to share
happy occasions such as the birth of Lev, the marriage of Bilha to Chai, the
birth of Adi and just watching Shilo grow!
Although someone with so much responsibility early in her
life, and medical problems over the last several years could have easily said,
now, it’s my turn for someone to take care of me, she did the opposite. If you
were a member of the Sylvia’s circle of friends, you knew there was always someone
you could count on for help, for advice, or for just an encouraging word. Barbara
and Sylvia spoke often; I can say very truthfully that one thing that I will
clearly miss is the cheerful “Hello Barbara” when Sylvia would call or answer the
phone. There was always something in her voice that could brighten your day. It
was amazing that this never changed, despite her illness, despite treatments, despite
the ups and the downs: there was always a positive note and she had the uncanny
ability to always lift you up even when you knew that things were not going
well.
This wonderful combination of courage, positivity and faith
has permeated the Fruchter household. Haim, Bilha, Yacov and Orly all are
amazing friends, but also their warm, giving positive nature is reflected in
their professional lives and in how they conduct themselves in all facets of
life. It is clear that Sylvia’s example, mission and lessons will be carried on
by her family, including her grandchildren. We should all be party to that as
well; to be there for each other, to be positive and helpful and welcoming. It
would be very a fitting tribute to Sylvia if we all just brightened someone’s
day regularly like she did for so many of us.
Tehe zichra Baruch/May her memory always be a blessing
