Beshalach

God leads the people out not by the short coastal road but roundabout, toward the sea, going before them in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night; Moses carries the bones of Joseph. Pharaoh's heart turns once more, and his chariots overtake Israel camped by the sea. Trapped and terrified, the people cry out; Moses answers, "Stand firm and see the salvation of the LORD" — and is told, "Tell the children of Israel to go forward." The sea splits before a strong east wind, Israel crosses on dry ground between walls of water, and the returning waters cover Pharaoh's whole army.

On the far shore Moses and the people sing — "I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider He has thrown into the sea" — and Miriam the prophetess leads the women with timbrels and dancing. Then the wilderness begins its testing. At Marah the bitter water is sweetened by a tree God shows Moses; at Elim there are twelve springs and seventy palms; in the wilderness of Sin the people grumble for the pots of meat in Egypt.

God rains bread from heaven: manna each morning, fine as frost, gathered daily one omer per person — a double portion on the sixth day, and none on the Sabbath, though some go out looking anyway. Quail cover the camp at evening; a jar of manna is kept for generations. At Rephidim the people quarrel for water, and Moses, at God's word, strikes the rock at Horeb and water comes out; the place is named Massah and Meribah. Then Amalek attacks; Joshua fights while Moses' raised hands — steadied by Aaron and Hur on either side — hold the battle, and God swears war with Amalek from generation to generation.