The Waters Of The Red Sea Refuse To Part

We usually think of it as a given, part of the grand, sweeping narrative of the Exodus. But what if the waters had their own say?

According to some fascinating midrashic traditions, they did. Imagine Moses, staff raised high, standing at the edge of the sea. He commands the waters to part, just as God instructed. But the sea? It's not buying it. "Why should I divide myself?" it seems to ask. Moses, ever the faithful messenger, replies, "The Lord sent me to do this thing." But the waters remain stubborn. They refuse to budge.

He tries again, brandishing the very staff that worked wonders in Pharaoh's court. "Behold the staff of God," he declares, "and do what the Lord has commanded you!" Still nothing. The sea is resolute.

What’s going on here? Well, the Sefer ha-Yashar and Exodus Rabbah (21:6) paint a vivid picture. This isn't just about Moses and the sea; it's about something much bigger. It's about divine authority.

Then, the kavod, the splendor and majesty of the Lord, appears. And suddenly, everything changes. The sea, which had stood firm against Moses, now flees before God. Moses, understandably a little bewildered, asks, "You didn't listen to me until now. Why are you fleeing?" And the sea's response is profound: "I have not fled before you, Moses, but before the Lord, the Creator of the world."

This little-known story, tucked away in the vast ocean of Jewish tradition, speaks volumes. It echoes another creation story. Remember the separation of the upper and lower waters? Some midrashim suggest those waters, too, were reluctant to separate! It seems water has a thing about being divided.

But more importantly, this narrative underscores a crucial point: it wasn't just Moses who performed the miracles of the Exodus. It was God working through him. God's power stood behind everything Moses did.

Why is this distinction important? Well, some rabbinic authorities were concerned that Moses might be elevated to almost divine status, a concern that may have stemmed from the "Moses fixation" they saw in groups like the Samaritans. By subtly emphasizing God's role, they aimed to keep the focus where it belonged: on the Divine. In fact, as Lawrence Kushner points out in Tree of Souls, Moses is almost entirely absent from the Haggadah, despite his obviously central role in the Exodus story.

So, the next time you picture the Red Sea splitting, remember this story. Remember the sea's initial resistance. Remember the appearance of God's glory. And remember that even in the most miraculous moments, it's the power of the Divine that makes all things possible. It begs the question, doesn't it? How often do we mistake the messenger for the message, the instrument for the power that wields it? Perhaps the parting of the Red Sea is not just a story about freedom, but a reminder of where true power ultimately resides.