Weekly Torah Portion: Beshalach "When G-d let go"

The weekly Torah portion is Beshalach- Exodus 13:17 - 17:16.

In this portion: pharoah releases Israel; Israel passes through the red sea; pharoah's army is destroyed; G-d begins to lead and feed his people in the wilderness; Israel win's their first battle.

In reading this portion two popular titles come to mind... one a variation on a theme from a Hunter Thompson book, the other from a pop song...

• Fear and Loathing in the Desert
• What Have You Done For Me Lately (Oh Lord)

Israel's faith and trust reaches a high point when they are delivered and pharoah's army is destroyed... but immediately... immediately. they doubt and question G-d's commitment and ability to lead and care for them...

As soon as they are thirsty and hungry they are angry and doubting... We are Israel... the moment we are in discomfort or peril we are prone to get cranky and doubt.

How could the people have witnessed the plagues and their freedom from bondage and the miracles of the Red sea and within days question and doubt...

The same way you and I can look upon the many, many ways G-d has been good and faithful in our lives and immediately doubt and question the minute we encounter fear...

For me personally, 2010 is a year with more fear than usual... I at moments feel like the enemy is right on my tail or as if I am in the wilderness wondering if there will be food to eat and water to drink... I am reminded of that prayer I have prayed so many times over the years, "Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief".

So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt (Keith and Melody Green)

So you wanna go back to Egypt, where it's warm and secure.
Are you sorry you bought the one-way ticket when you thought you were sure?
You wanted to live in the Land of Promise, but now it's getting so hard.
Are you sorry you're out here in the desert, instead of your own backyard?

Eating leeks and onions by the Nile.
Ooh what breath, but dining out in style.
Ooh, my life's on the skids.
Give me the pyramids.

Well there's nothing to do but travel, and we sure travel a lot.
'Cause it's hard to keep your feet from moving when the sand gets so hot.
And in the morning it's manna hotcakes. We snack on manna all day.
And they sure had a winner last night for dinner, flaming manna soufflé.

Well we once complained for something new to munch.
The ground opened up and had some of us for lunch.
Ooh, such fire and smoke.
Can't God even take a joke…Huh?….(NO!)

So you wanna go back to Egypt, where old friends wait for you.
You can throw a big party and tell the whole gang, that what they said was all
true.
And this Moses acts like a big-shot, who does he think he is.
It's true that God works lots of miracles, but Moses thinks they're all his.

Well I'm having so much trouble even now.
Why'd he get so mad about that cow, that golden cow.
Moses,he seems rather idle, he just sits around.
He just sits around and writes the Bible.

Oh, Moses, put down your pen.
What…Oh no, manna again?
Oh, manna waffles….
Manna burgers...
Manna bagels...
Fillet of manna...
Mannacoti...
Bamanna bread!