בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
This parsha mentions Israel’s song upon the well. This matter seems to echo Israel’s song upon the splitting of the Red Sea. Both are sung by Israel’s initiative, both on water, but in opposite contexts: in the splitting of the Sea, solid land emerged from the waters of the sea, while in the well waters emerged from the solid rock. Also, the splitting of the sea was at the beginning of Israel’s entrance into the Wilderness, while the song of the well is mentioned in context of Israel’s last year in the Wilderness. In this painting we see at the top right a sentence that mentions how the Sages were studying the Exodus the Seder Night all night. We see here also waves of the sea with dry land, apparently hinting to the splitting of the Sea at the Exodus. The dry land in the sea looks like shofars. The shofar is considered a symbol of emancipation since it is used in the Yovel year to signify the emancipation of slaves. Here too, the splitting of the sea and Israel’s passage on dry land signify Israel’s emancipation from Egypt. We see Israel’s passage signified by twelve flags, a clear reference to the twelve tribes [which used flags] passing through the sea. We also see seven horses and seven pomegranates, seven being the special Jewish number. We see a winged snake, a symbol of evil, apparently hinting to Pharaoe. We also see what seems to be the three forefathers at the top right. The Four mothers/hands are seen under them. It is known that the Exodus was in merit of our Forefathers and Matriarchs of Hebron, and also our future redemption is in their merit!