The Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating and often poetic work of Midrash (Jewish Biblical exegesis), gives us a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the Israelites at that pivotal moment in history. Specifically, in chapter 42, we find a powerful prayer uttered by Israel in the face of imminent destruction.
"Sovereign of all worlds!" they cry out to God. "These Egyptians who have arisen to come against us to destroy us from Thy world, as well as all who rise up against us, are as though they had risen up against Thee." It's a bold statement, isn't it? The Israelites aren’t just pleading for their own lives; they’re framing their struggle as God’s struggle. They are saying that an attack on them is an attack on God Himself. And they implore God: "Let the majesty of Thy might and Thy fierce anger consume them like stubble." This, of course, echoes the verse in Exodus 15:7: "And in the greatness of thine excellency thou overthrowest them that rise up against thee: thou sendeth forth thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble."
But the prayer doesn’t end with a plea for vengeance. It transitions into a declaration of God’s unparalleled nature. "Sovereign of all worlds! There is none like Thee among the ministering angels." This is where it gets really interesting. The Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer points out that even the names of the angels, like Michael and Gabriel, contain part of the word Elohim ("God"). It's as if even these celestial beings are only reflections of God’s ultimate divinity.
The Israelites continue, quoting Exodus 15:11: "Who is like unto thee among the divine creatures, O Lord?" And then, in a fascinating twist, the text tells us that Pharaoh, in an act of defiant mimicry, replies after them, saying: "Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" It's the same verse, but the context is everything.
The Midrash then draws a crucial distinction. "Fearful in praise" is not written here, but "fearful in praises." Why the plural? Because, the Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer explains, "the praises of the ministering angels are on high, and the praises of Israel are (uttered on earth) below." The angels praise God from their celestial realm, but the Israelites, facing earthly struggles and temptations, offer their praise from a place of vulnerability and genuine effort.
This idea connects beautifully with Psalm 22:3: "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." God, in essence, dwells within the praises of His people. He is present in our heartfelt expressions of gratitude and devotion, even amidst hardship.
What does this all mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that our struggles, our prayers, our praises – they matter. They resonate not just within our own hearts, but within the very fabric of the divine. And even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, we can find strength and solace in the knowledge that we are never truly alone. Our voices, our faith, join a chorus that echoes through the heavens.