Parashat Beshalach
Come Sing with me
This Shabbat is one of the few throughout the year that is given a special name. It is called Shabbat Shira the Shabbat of Song, commemorating the miraculous deliverance from the Egyptians at the sea of Reeds. After they are safe the Children of Israel simultaneously burst forth into a song of praise to G-d. Music is all around us. We can enjoy it today in ways that 30 years ago were ideas found in the pages of science fiction books. On a recent trip to the science museum in London I showed my children a black disc and an odd machine with a needle. I explained that they were looking at a record and record player. They were confused by the size of the disk and by the cumbersome nature of the player. I explained that they were looking at a record and record player. Music has always been an important part of life and even when technology was basic people wanted to be able to hear music. Many don’t suffice with the passive experience of listening alone and at the moment a song is played they burst forth into song. The good news is that singing is good for you. It’s a great work out. Researchers claim that regular exercising of the vocal cords can even prolong life and if done correctly that flat stomach might not be an impossible dream as the muscles get a workout. According to the findings of a joint Harvard and Yale study singing even helps you live longer. The study showed that choral singing increased life expectancy by promoting both a healthy heart and an enhanced mental state. What was so special about this song?
A unique feature of the Israelites song was its ability to see all the troubles and difficult times in a new context. They were able to suing merrily about all the years of slavery in Egypt, being chased by the Egyptians, panicking at the shores of the Reed Sea, they now understood these experiences as part of a process and that each stage was necessary for their salvation. The ability to sing joyously about events that were difficult gives this song a power to liberate generations. This might be the reason why we include in our daily prayers. We are all slaves to something and liberation is only a song away, “The sun will come out tomorrow.” As we prepare for this Shabbat of song reflect on the joyous moments in life, when plain narrative seems incapable of capturing the correct tone of emotion. Singing in the shower, or in the rain might well become the liberating force that our lives need. If you are worried about singing and think that it’s not so easy, remember it’s as easy as do rei mi.
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