After the splitting of the Sea of Reeds, Moshe led the entire Jewish people in a song of celebration. Our Sages differ in their understanding of the way the people responded to Moshe’s initiative. Rabbi Akiva maintains that the people responded like a chorus, reciting “I will sing to G‑d” after every verse Moshe recited. Rabbi Eliezer, the son of Rabbi Yossi HaGalili, maintains that they repeated every verse after Moshe, and Rabbi Nechemiah maintains that the people were so inspired that they, too, were granted ruach hakodesh, the spirit of prophecy, and recited the song together with Moshe. Our Sages are providing us with a lesson in leadership.

Beshalach: Learning to Trust G-d

Likkutei Sichos, Volume 26, Beshalach 2

By The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson

The journey of the Jews through the desert recounted in the Torah provides us with many fundamental lessons to apply in our own Divine service. Among the unique features of that journey was the manna that sustained our people throughout this 40-year trek. So central are the lessons we learn from the manna that it is customary in many communities to recite every day the passage describing its descent.

Beshalach: Consummating the Exodus

Likkutei Sichos, Volume 3, Beshalach

By The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson

There is a classic adage, “It took G‑d one moment to take the Jews out of Egypt, but 40 years to take Egypt out of the Jews.” That saying is certainly relevant when describing the scene as the Jews arrived at the Sea of Reeds, with their experience as slaves still fresh in their minds and the awareness of freedom yet to be internalized.