Refuse To Assimilate

Psalms 114 discusses the first three of five themes highlighted in the Hallel (Praise) Psalms –the exodus from Egypt, the splitting of the sea, and the revelation at Mount Sinai. The fourth theme, the resurrection of the dead, is addressed in Psalm 116:3-9 and fifth theme, the coming of the Messiah, is given in Psalms 118:26. These are Israel’s most revered events both past and future. They constitute their reasons for praise. This psalm (second of the Hallel) carries the same theme as Psalm 113 – G-d lifts the needy and destitute and gives them nobility. The Chosen People attained this exaltation by their willingness to plunge into the Red Sea. According to verse 1, Israel refused to assimilate themselves into the culture of Egyptians. When Israel went out indicated that the Jewish nation remained Israel, retaining their Jewish names. They maintained their distinct and holy language, refusing to use the language of Egypt. After 210 years, they could still refer to the Egyptians as a people of strange language. G-d singled out the Tribe of Judah to be royalty. They became His sanctuary because, it is said, they led the way to jump into the Red Sea. At first, Benjamin’s people ran toward the sea and the royal tribe of Judah cried out, “You are committing suicide by jumping into these waters. You deserve to be stoned for this crime.’ But Benjamin argued, “G-d commanded the Children of Israel, to descend into the sea. The forerunners of the other tribes were born while our father was still called Jacob. Only Benjamin was born after Jacob was awarded the title, Israel. Thus, only we Benjaminites are the true Children of Israel and only we are fit to lead the Jewish people triumphantly across the sea.” Though the psalm states that Judah is G-d’s sanctuary, the Temple was built on Mount Moriah at the border between Judah and Benjamin-just inside the territory of Benjamin. Could the fact that Benjamin was changed to Israel be the reason why? Verse 4-7 Some believe that the entire earth trembled at the splitting of the Red Sea and that every person on the planet felt the tremor. Someday, the earth will again tremble – at the appearance of the Messiah! The time is running shorter; people need to refuse to assimilate to the worldly ways for it is advancing from bad morals to unbelievable un-godly ways. May we learn from the history of the Chosen People.