We all know the story from Exodus – how Moses stretched out his hand, and the waters parted, allowing the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptian army. But did you know just how many miracles were packed into that single event?

Midrash Tehillim 136, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psalms, delves deep into this iconic moment, revealing layers of wonder we might otherwise miss. It points out that no fewer than ten miracles occurred at the sea!

It wasn't just a simple parting, according to the Midrash. The sea "was split and became like a wall," echoing the verse from Habakkuk 3:14, "You pierced with his own spears the head of his warriors." It divided into two, fulfilling Exodus 14:16’s command: "And you shall stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it." The seabed became dry land, as Exodus 15:19 confirms: "And the children of Israel went on dry land."

But the transformations didn't stop there. The sea became like clay, as Habakkuk 3:15 describes: "You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters." It scattered, a testament to God's strength as proclaimed in Psalm 74:13: "You split open the sea by your strength." And it even turned into rocks, mirroring the crushing of Leviathan in the same verse: "You crushed the heads of Leviathan, and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert."

The sea was "mounded up," mirroring Exodus 15:8, "And by the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up." It became like a flask, with the waters standing "upright like a flask," (also from Exodus 15:8). Sweet water sprung forth from the salty depths, a fulfillment of Psalm 78:16: "And he brought forth streams from a rock." And finally, the water froze in two parts, solidifying "in the heart of the sea," as Exodus 15:8 tells us, like glass balls.

That’s a lot to take in, right? Ten distinct miracles all happening at once! But why all this detail? What's the point of focusing on the how as much as the what?

The Midrash connects this abundance of miracles to a deeper understanding of God's providence and care. A mortal king, it argues, can't possibly provide for his soldiers the way God provides for all of creation. As Exodus 15:3 declares, "The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name." He wages war against evil, yes, but He's also the One who "feeds and sustains all His creatures."

The text then quotes Psalm 145:15-16, "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." It's a powerful reminder that even in the midst of dramatic, history-altering events, God's constant care and provision are always present.

Rabbi Samuel bar Nahmani takes this idea a step further. He argues that providing sustenance is even more significant than redemption itself. Why? Because redemption often comes through an agent – like the angel mentioned in Genesis 48:16, "The angel who redeemed me." But sustenance, that daily bread, comes directly from the Holy One, blessed be He. As Psalm 23:1 beautifully puts it, "The Lord is my shepherd."

Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin adds another layer, noting the juxtaposition of Psalms 136:13, "who split the Red Sea into parts, for His kindness is eternal," with Psalms 145:15, "The eyes of all look to You with hope, and You give them their food at the proper time." The miracle of the splitting sea, a moment of dramatic salvation, is directly linked to God's ongoing provision.

The Midrash concludes with a fascinating story from the "school of Elijah," involving a rabbi who questions why the scriptures speak of God both giving food "at the proper time" and "to every living creature." The answer? While God blesses our efforts and provides for all, we also have a responsibility to work and learn. To simply sit idle, neglecting Torah study, is foolish. We must engage with the world, contribute our efforts, and trust that God will bless our endeavors.

So, what does all of this mean for us today? Perhaps it's a reminder that even in the midst of our own "splitting sea" moments – those times of crisis and upheaval – we can find comfort in knowing that God is not only working to redeem us but also actively providing for our needs. And maybe, just maybe, we can find a little inspiration to participate in that provision ourselves, contributing our own efforts and trusting in God's blessing.