B’shalach – Miriam’s Song at the Shores of the Sea

Sharing is good

This week’s Torah portion, B’shalach, contains the scene where the Israelites have made it across the Sea of Reed while Pharaoh and his army drowned. On the shores of the sea the people sing praises and give thanks. Miriam, sister of Moses, gets some airtime and is referred to as “Miriam the prophetess (Exodus 15:20). Miriam and all the women sing and dance with timbrels (tambourines).

Likely because of the musical interlude of Miriam and the woman as well as all the people singing the song “Mi chamocha“, this Shabbat is called Shabbat Shira, the Shabbat of Song.

The late Debbie Friedman (z”l) wrote/composed an amazing song  called “Miriam’s Song” to commemorate the event. I’ve included the lyrics at the start of the song in my Torah sketchnote.