Good morning and Moed Tov. Today we will discuss a beautiful thought on Shevi’i Shel Pesach- the 7th day of Pesach and Az Yashir- the Song of Sea from Rav Moshe Feinstein.
Rav Moshe, in his sefer Kol Ram says that there are four examples where we mention Hashem’s name, 3 of which show up in our daily kedusha prayers. He explains that there are three levels: one is of the angels called Malachim, the next is Seraphim-fiery angels, and above them are the Jewish people.
The first level of angels say Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh Hashem Sevaot- they mention Hashem’s name G-d of Hosts, but only after saying the word Kadosh 3 times. And each time that they say the word Kadosh, they realize how G-d is elevated in the heavens, on the earth and throughout history; Their recognition of G-d comes from that.
The next level of angels, the Seraphim, say
-ברוך כבוד ה׳ ממקומו
Blessed is the honor of Hashem. With only two words- Baruch Kevod, Blessed is the Honor, they are able to say Hashem’s name. They recognize Hashem‘s honor and glory and this is a closer connection.
Finally, the Jewish people say
ימלוך ה׳ לעולם
The Kingdom of Hashem is forever.
We recognize G-d’s kingdom with one word ימלוך , and with only one word we are ready to say Hashem’s name.
These are the three levels of our daily Kedusha, which say every morning in the Hazara/ repetition of our Amida, in the recital of the Hazan.
But Rav Moshe says that there is an even higher level of connection, which comes only after the recognition of Az Yashir. His proof is from the final pasuk, and culmination of Az Yashir, which says
ה׳ ימלך לעולם ועד
Hashem should be/is King forever.
And here, there are no words before Hashem’s name. We jump right to Hashem.
It is not Yimloch Hashem, as David HaMelech said, but rather, as Moshe Rabbenu said Hashem Yimloch.
Rav Moshe says that the Rishonim discuss this change, and gives an explanation that it’s only after the clarity we get from Az Yashir that can we dive into
ה׳ ימלך לעולם ועד
Hashem should be King forever, which is the highest recognition.
What exactly is this recognition of Az Yashir?
He says that there are two kinds of Emunah. Many people believe that Hashem has the power to help as we say, Hashem Ya’azor.
That’s something, but they still think there are other ways.
They think that of course, Hashem is in charge, and of course He will help, but they think that there is something outside of His domain.
Rav Matityahu Salomon gives a mashal to illustrate this view:
There was a cutthroat, ruthless business man who prayed a very long Amida. A rabbi observed this and later told this man that he seemed to be very tough and ruthless in business, and yet at the same time he seemed to be a big believer in G-d.
The man explained that he was a very good businessman. He felt that he knew exactly what he was doing, but at the same time, he knew that Hashem was also very very powerful, and capable of interfering. So this man, when he prayed, asked Hashem to please just let him do his thing.
That is a level of Emunah, but it’s not the Emunah of Kriat Yam Suf: the splitting of the sea. At Kriat Yam Suf, they realized that Hashem is the Master over everything. Everything is dependent on Him. Nothing happens or helps without Him. They received this higher level of Emunah at Kriat Yam Suf when they saw the water become rock, and then turn back into water.
This is the level of realization that no one else can help but Hashem. There is nothing else but Hashem. Every year, the time to recharge our batteries on this high level of Emunah called ה׳ ימלוך לעולם ועד
Hashem is King forever, which is also known as אין עוד מלבדו, is Shevi’i Shel Pesach ( the 7th day of Pesach)
We read Az Yashir in the Sefer Torah portion of the 7th day of Pesach, and many people get up early in the morning, before sunrise, to read this portion, in order to coincide with the time that the actual splitting of the sea occurred.
In Brooklyn, that time, Alot HaShachar, is at 5:19am Shabbat morning.
Some people will recite Az Yashir at specifically that time, imagining that the sea is splitting and realizing G-d’s greatness.
It is a wonderful time to pray for shidduchim or parnasa, as it says, “Getting married and making a living is as difficult as the splitting of the sea”
We need to have the clarity that it’s not the shadchanim/ matchmakers, or the buyers or business connections that bring us success. It’s Hashem Yimloch Le’Olam Va’ed. Hashem will be King forever.
We should all be zoche/ merit that clarity of Emunah and all the Yeshuot and salvations that come with it.
Have a wonderful day and a Hag Sameach.