VaYishlach, Beshalach, Shlach

Please G-d I'm giving a talk on the parsha this Thursday night. I've been preparing by looking here, where I focused on one verse, Shmot 16:7, and Moshe's question, "Veanchnu mah? - And we, what are we?" (I noticed that I failed to answer a comment. I hate when that happens. Sorry.)

I also am thinking about the unique approach of the Sfat Emet, who says that the war with Amelek was not won the way people think it was. People read the mishna in Rosh HaShana as teaching that when the people looked to heaven then they won the war, and that Moshe lifted his hands Heaven-ward as a reminder to look there. The Sfat Emet reads the mishna to mean that when they looked to Heaven Moshe's hands got strength and when they didn't then Moshe's hands weakened.

I searched Beshalach within this blog and seven posts came up. Several of the posts are essays on the parsha, while others mention the parsha in passing in poetry and prose. I reread the posts and the comments and found the experience gratifying.

I sit in wonder

What exactly is a blog?

It ebbs much like life

It was one thing yesterday

Today is a brand new day