Voices for WRJ: Parashat B’shalach

by Rabbi Avi Schulman The Torah depicts the extreme peril our ancestors faced when they left Egypt. Gathered at the shores of the Sea of Reeds with Pharaoh’s army bearing down on them, God performed a miracle by splitting the sea in two. The Israelites crossed over on dry land and then saw their foes drown as the waters crashed over Pharaoh’s warriors. In gratitude, Moses led the men in a song of triumph (Exodus 15.1-19). Immediately following this Song of the Sea, we read that the women of Israel offer their own expression of gladness: “Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, picked up a hand-drum, and all the women went out after her in dance with hand-drums. And Miriam chanted for them: Sing to Adonai, for He has triumphed gloriously; horse and driver He has hurled into the sea” (Exodus 15.20-21; translation from The Torah: A Women’s Commentary.) Debbie Friedman, whose memory is a blessing, immortalized this moment in our people’s history when she composed Miriam’s Song. Debbie’s words, melody, and rhythm capture the glory of this miracle: And the women dancing with their timbrels. Followed Miriam as she sang this song. Sing a song to the One whom we’ve exalted, Miriam and the women danced and danced the whole night long. The power of Miriam’s Song is that it not only gives voice to our female ancestors of long ago but it empowers Jewish women today to joyfully celebrate with song and dance. I cannot imagine a women’s service that does not include Miriam’s Song. I have witnessed in different congregations women joyfully taking up their tambourines and drums and dancing around the synagogue as they sing Miriam’s Song. With voices uplifted and arms intertwined, the women in the congregation embody the elation our ancestors felt when they were freed from the shackles of slavery. In Torah, only Miriam and the women sang and danced in celebration. So too, when Miriam’s Song is sung, I have seen women leap to their feet to sing and dance and yet the men in the congregation do not participate. They remain rooted in place. Some offer a lame excuse such as “Dancing is not my thing.” Others mumble, “I’ve got two left feet.” Clearly there are men who are uncomfortable with this display of exuberance. This is nonsense! We Men of Reform Judaism need the Women of Reform Judaism to tug us out of our seats and into the aisles. Overcoming our inhibitions and the enslavement of our own limited experiences, it’s high time for men to follow the example of Miriam and contemporary Reform women. We men need to get our bodies moving, singing, dancing, and tapping our drums to the rhythm of the beat. The Women of Reform Judaism clearly lead the way toward a more joyful expression of our love for God and the Jewish people. All of us, women and men, benefit when we join hands together and celebrate the miracles in our lives. Rabbi Avi Shulman is spiritual leader at Temple Beth Torah in Fremont, CA.