Why the Song of the Sea Wipes Away Israel's Earlier Sins

Midrash Shmuel 29:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"Where are Your former kindnesses, O Lord, which You swore to David in Your faithfulness" (Psalms 89:50). It is written, "And these are the last words of David" (II Samuel 23:1). The former ones — where are they? The beginning of one's deeds. He said to them: the Song forgives what is past. Rabbi Berekhiah and Rabbi Abba bar Kahana, in the name of Rabbi Eliezer, explained it concerning "And Moses caused Israel to journey from the Red Sea" (Exodus 15:22). Once Israel had come up from the Red Sea, Moses said to them: the beginning of one's deeds. He said to him: the Song forgives what is past. Rabbi Berekhiah in the name of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana: After the Song it is written, "And the children of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord" (Judges 6:1); before the Song it is written, "And the children of Israel again did evil in the eyes of the Lord" (Judges 4:1). The beginning of one's deeds — He said to them: the Song forgives what is past.

Themes

MusicSinDavidJudgesBible

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash ShmuelDavid Counts Ninety Thousand Chosen Men of IsraelThe Sages gathered to read a single verse, and from its words they drew out an army. Scripture says of David that he assembled "all the chosen men of Israel, thLegends of the JewsAbsalom the Giant Son Who Turned Against His FatherLegends of the Jews turns to Absalom the Giant Son Who Turned Against His Father. David, the shepherd-turned-king, the sweet singer of Israel…he faced many triaMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelCan Be Likened to the Lord Among the Sons of the Mighty? God Greatly"I shall sing to the L–rd," who is comely, who is glorious, who is exalted, whose like does not exist, (Psalms 89:7) "For who in the heavens can be compared to Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelAddressed Directly to God You Are a TrustThe Mekhilta preserves a beautiful declaration attributed to King David, addressed directly to God: "You are a trust, a help, and a support to all who enter theMidrash ShmuelDavid's Ten Enemies and the God of David BlessingWhen Nathan brought God's word to David — "And I was with you wherever you went" — the Sages heard an echo of an older promise. To Jacob, God had said, "Return Midrash ShmuelWhy Goliath Fell on His Face When David's Stone StruckWhen David reached into the bag and slung his single stone, it did not merely strike — it sank. Yehudah bar Rabbi taught that it pressed into Goliath's forehead