7th/8th Days of Passover 5782

by Rabbi Margie Cella

The centerpiece of the seventh day’s Torah reading is Shirat haYam, Moses’ song of praise after the people of Israel experienced God’s deliverance from Pharaoh and his army of six hundred chariots through the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea. Moses’s song is followed by the song with which Miriam led the women in singing and dancing their praise of Hashem. According to tradition, this event occurred exactly seven days after leaving Egypt.

Similarly, the haftarah is a song of praise offered by King David for having saved him from his enemies, and from King Saul when he had wanted to kill him. Some of the language used by David is reminiscent of phrases in Moses’ song, making it a natural complement to it. Incorporating these songs into our liturgy keeps these historic events in our memory, and reminds us that when we experience miracles, we, too, must begin our response with praise.

The eighth day’s Torah reading reminds us to bring the tithe of our produce and the firstlings of the flock to God. We are enjoined to provide for those who have no means of supporting themselves: Levites, strangers, orphans, widows, and the poor. Every seven years we are to free slaves, reminding ourselves that we were slaves ourselves in Egypt. Once again, we are reminded of the yearly festivals: Passover in the spring, seven weeks later the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), and after the fall harvest the Feast of Booths (Sukkot); these three times each year all males must appear before God with an offering at the place that God designates.

The haftarah speaks of a future redemption; a utopian world of peace is envisioned, brought about by a leader from the line of David. This Passover of the Future is believed to refer to the time of the messiah. The text concludes with two short hymns of praise, including two verses (12:2-3) that are familiar to us from the Havdalah service, expressing gratitude to Hashem for our deliverance. How fitting it is to be hearing these words as our annual holiday of redemption draws to a close!