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Clearly, if Passover is the ultimate experience of emancipation and birth of a nation, then the culmination
of this experience is Israel's crossing of the Sea of Reeds, which takes place on the Seventh day of the festival. The experience
of the splitting of the sea was an unparalleled showcase of spiritual power and clarity in the true knowledge of YHVH. The
people of Israel, great and small alike were totally transfixed by YHVH's power and providence, and the entire nation declared:
"This is of my El and I will extol
Him." Exodus 15:2
A closer look at what took place at the sea also reveals Israel's struggle to be free from the shackles
of Egypt that still remained in their mind, though Moses assured them, "Do not fear! Stand fast and see the salvation of YHVH that He will perform for you today,
for as you have seen Egypt today, you shall not see them ever again! YHVH shall make war for you, and you shall remain silent." Exodus 14:13-14
It's not so easy for a slave to stop being a slave. Freedom from physical bondage is only the first step. What is the
next step to true freedom - and to getting back the light?
In another of the astounding insights of the sages, it is related that the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea) only split in
the merit of Joseph, who withstood the temptation of his master's wife. The verse states "The sea saw and fled." Psalms 114:3 The rabbis ask: What
did the sea see, that caused it to 'flee,' to split and part its waters? It saw the coffin of Joseph.
This teaching expresses a profound allegorical message. What is the connection between Joseph and the splitting of the
sea that the Rabbis wish to emphasize? Why was "seeing" the coffin of Joseph transported across the sea by Moses (Exodus
13:19) enough to make the mighty Sea of Reeds" up and flee?"
Joseph is called tzaddik, righteous, because the Torah testifies (regarding his temptation with his master's wife), that
Joseph was truly pure and able to control himself particularly in that area of human life, which is the true test and testimony
of an individual's righteousness.
To gain mastery and dominion over one's own human nature qualifies one to be called a "tzaddik", one who is truly righteous.
Thus we are taught that the Holy One, blessed be he, may make a decree, but a tzaddik - a truly righteous person - can
nullify that decree. "The prayer of the righteous man avails much."
How is it that a righteous individual has the power to nullify YHVH's will, His
decrees? Precisely because such a person can change and even reverse his very nature for the honor of Hashem. Thus acording
to 'measure for measure' YHVH reverses His decrees in the merit of that person. Because of righteous Joseph, "the sea saw
and fled" - for the sea changed its very nature to honor YHVH's will.
At the time of creation, Elohim had originally declared "let the waters
gather together." Genesis 1:9 The nature of water is to stand together in one
place. But in honor of Joseph, who gained mastery over his nature for the sake of the honor of YHVH the sea changed its very
nature, as if the sea reasoned to itself: If Joseph could change his nature for the Creator, then so can I.
It all comes together on the seventh day of Passover. The first day is bound up with the last day. After all, what was
the purpose of the exodus in the first place? YHVH states clearly, "I
am Yahveh who took you out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim." Leviticus
22:33
Passover is the call for Israel to be YHVH's people, and being His people carries with it the responsibility of never
looking back towards Egypt. This is part of the secret of the splitting of the sea, the secret of breaking the pattern of
Egypt and getting back the Light of Redemption. Coming to the sea, we must cross it and not stand there vacillating, moaning
and complaining. The fulfillment of our destiny surely awaits us on the other side.
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