Beshalach - בשלח : "When he sent"
Torah : Exodus 13:17-17:16
Haftarah : Judges 4:4-5:31
Gospel : Mark 6

Thought for the Week:

First Moses said, "Stand by." Then God said, "Tell them to go forward." Isn't this a contradiction? Moses told them to stand still, meaning, "Do not run away, and do not give up hope." God told them to go forward in a step of faith. Despite all contrary voices, He told them to hope again.

Commentary:

Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, "The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." (Exodus 13:17)

The children of Israel had a quick lesson to learn about following God. They knew they were heading to the land of Canaan. They would have assumed that they would simply follow the coastal route up out of Egypt, along the Mediterranean, and be back in Canaan in a few days. God does not take shortcuts.

The coastal highway was...