This week we read from the Torah portion of Beshalach, which continues the story of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt and the great miracle of the Splitting of the Sea. 

Our portion begins with Pharaoh leading the Egyptian army in hot pursuit of the Children of Israel who have just left Egypt. The Jews are at an impasse; before them lay the great expanse of the Reed Sea, behind them, the pursuing Egyptians are quickly approaching, and on either side of them there are wild animals. They are left with no place at all to run. 

What were they to do? The Torah tells us: “And the Children of Israel cried out to Hashem.”

What should Jews do when they are in trouble? Pray!

As the commentary Rashi eloquently states: “They embraced the profession of their forefathers, Avraham (Abraham), Yitzchok (Isaac) and Yaakov (Jacob)” (who instituted the three daily prayers) and prayed.

Prayer is not just something that we do when we are in trouble. It is considered “our profession”. Jews are always found praying, and it is this activity of prayer that is our greatest virtue. As the Torah states: “for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the nations, who, when they shall hear all these statutes, shall say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who has God so near to them, as Hashem, our God is, in all things that we call upon him for?” (Parshas V’Eschanan - Devarim, [Deuteronomy] 4:6,7)

The story of the Exodus and the Splitting of the Sea teaches us the great principal stated in the Talmud by R` Elchanan and R` Elazar: Even if a sword`s blade is resting on a person`s throat, he should never give up praying for Divine mercy, as it says, `Though He slay me, I would pray to Him’ (Iyov [Job] 13,15). [Source: Babylonian Talmud Tractate Berachos 10]

 When a Jew is left with no options, no hope of salvation, the Exodus and the Splitting of the Sea remind us that there is an all-powerful G-d that watches over His people and can bring salvation at any given moment. 

Rabbi Shlomo Brevda, a prominent Rabbi and lecturer, often tells the story of an Orthodox Jewish couple, the husband was a very dedicated and pious teacher in a Hebrew Day School and the wife worked at a part time job. Between these two occupations the couple had the means to make ends meet.

 One year, shortly before the holiday of Passover, the husband was discharged from his teaching position. At the same time, the wife lost her job, the only remaining means by which the couple was sustained. They were heartbroken at the turn of events.

 On the first night of Passover, as the couple sat down to the Seder, melancholy enveloped the Seder table rather than the customary mood of rejoicing and celebration. They could not bring themselves to begin the Seder.

 After a while the husband turned to his wife and said: “Passover is when we commemorate the Exodus from Egypt, are we any worse off than our forefathers were at the brink of the Sea? The Jews were cut off from all sides. They could only rely on their faith. And their faith sustained them. When Hashem saw that their faith came to the fore, he brought about their salvation and immediately caused the sea to split! Let’s draw strength from our forefathers’ experience and celebrate this holiday of salvation like we’re supposed to. Hashem will surely come through for us.”

 Having said that, they were able to commence the Seder.

 After Passover, the husband found a new job in a better atmosphere than previously. He taught for many years thereafter and produced many fine students.

 The moral of the story is, that Hashem is very close to us. Hashem doesn’t need our prayers. But we need to pray. It’s in our best interests to pray. Prayer refines a person and makes us realize that there is only one supreme power, as King David says in Tehilim, “Hashem is my rock, and my fortress, and my savior; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower”. (Psalms 18:3)