Concentric

“Then Bnei Yisrael came into the sea, in the dry land, and the waters were for them a wall from their right and from their left.” (Shemos 14:22)

There’s a widespread misconception that Bnei Yisrael linearly crossed the divided Yam Suf to reach Eretz Yisrael on the other side.

However, Rav Yisroel Reisman points out that before the digging of the Suez Canal, the journey from Egypt to Israel was a simple overland trip that didn’t involve any water crossings. After leaving Goshen, they were already on the Israel side of the Yam Suf, where Pharaoh cornered them. Explains Tosafos (Arachin 15a), Bnei Yisrael walked through the Yam Suf in a semi-circular path, emerging on the same side as they entered, albeit further upstream.

Rav Reisman expands this idea to the Gemara (Sotah 2a): Shidduchim are as difficult as splitting the Yam Suf. What’s the comparison between dating and traversing a semi-circular path? Wouldn’t climbing a mountain be more appropriate? (Rabbi Ozer Alport, Parshah Potpourri)

Sunday, February 7, 2021, 4:00 a.m.: Hi All! Baruch Hashem this week we were zocheh to three chassanim and two kallahs!!

Sunday, February 7, 2021, 7:12 a.m.: BH for good news! Can u add the name Chaya bas Leah? Tx!

Sunday, February 7, 2021, 2:27 p.m.: Mazel Tov!!! Rivka bas Chana’s a kallah!!! Please add her sister Gila bas Chana instead.

Sending out the weekly update to our group of 2,000-plus global members all saying Tehillim for shidduchim is the highlight of my week. The excitement of a new engagement is thrilling; the person may be a stranger, but the name — the name’s no stranger to me. Elated, I crossed off Rivka bas Chana and added her sister.