Today's story from Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, is all about how seemingly small acts of courage and confession can have enormous, lasting consequences. It all begins with the verse, "To lead in melodies. It is known in Judah, God is in Israel." (Psalms 76).
The midrash (rabbinic interpretation) connects this psalm to a moment of crisis. When the ten tribes of Israel were exiled, only Judah and Benjamin remained. The other nations looked on, suggesting that perhaps the Israelites were no different than anyone else, just another group of people, exiled for their misdeeds. But, as the verse from Hosea (5:9) says, "Ephraim shall become a desolation in the day of rebuke; among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure," God revealed himself through Judah, solidifying his presence in Israel.
Now, Rabbi Yehuda bar Elai brings us to another pivotal moment: the splitting of the Red Sea. Can you imagine the scene? The Israelites are trapped, Pharaoh's army closing in, and the sea looms before them like an impossible barrier. According to this midrash, they were bickering! Each tribe wanted to be the first to cross, paralyzed by indecision.
Then comes Nachshon ben Aminadav. The midrash tells us that Nachshon, without hesitation, leaped into the sea. Talk about a moment of faith! It’s so powerful that the Psalmist echoes it, "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck" (Psalms 69:2). While Moses was praying, God urged him to act, to tell the Israelites to move forward. Nachshon's bravery broke the deadlock, paving the way for salvation.
This act of courage, the midrash suggests, is why Judah merited sovereignty. As it says in Psalms 114:2-3, "Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel His dominion. The sea saw and fled." When you do something good for Judah, it’s like doing good for all of Israel, because, in a way, all of Israel is called by the name of Judah.
But wait, there’s more to the story. Rabbi Tarfon, sitting in the shade of the Shukei Binyamin (an area in Jerusalem), was asked by his disciples why Judah merited this leadership. His answer? Because Judah confessed regarding the incident with Tamar. It's a complex story, but the key is that Judah publicly acknowledged his mistake and took responsibility for his actions.
The disciples weren’t satisfied, and they pressed him further. They brought up other instances where Judah seemed to falter – his role in selling Joseph into slavery, and a pledge he made. Rabbi Tarfon connects it all back to that moment at the Red Sea. He explains how when all the tribes were standing and none of them would descend into the sea, one tribe would say, "I will go down first," and another would say, "No, I will go down first." Benjamin, however, wanted his tribe to be the first to go down. Nachshon ben Aminadav jumped into the waves with his tribe, even though they tried to stone him, and he was saved. The verse in Psalms (68:28) states, "Benjamin, the youngest, is their ruler. The leaders of Judah come with their throngs." This refers to the fact that the people of Judah wanted to stone him and were delayed, while Benjamin went ahead and was the first to descend.
Nachshon's leap of faith wasn’t just about physical courage; it was about taking initiative, about trusting in something bigger than himself. This, according to the midrash, is why the kingship of Israel ultimately belonged to the tribe of Judah. "God is known in Judah," the midrash concludes.
So, what can we take away from this? It's not just about grand gestures or displays of power. It's about those moments when we choose courage over fear, when we confess our mistakes, and when we act, even when others hesitate. These seemingly small acts, like Nachshon's leap into the Red Sea, can have ripple effects that shape history and reveal God's presence in the world. Maybe our own "leaps of faith," however small, can also make God known, in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. What do you think? What "sea" is in front of you, calling for you to take a leap?