Last Shabbat we read the portion of Beshalach... One of the highlights of this portion is the grand 'Song at the Sea' (Shirat HaYam) the song that the Israelites sang after crossing the sea of Reeds and witnessing the destruction of the Egyptians. The sages who put together the weekly portion readings associated that Song with the song in the book of Prophets (Judges) written by the Prophetess Deborah.... This song too celebrates the destruction of the enemies of the Jewish people...
http://www.jtsa.edu/PreBuilt/ParashahArchives/jpstext/beshallah_haft.shtmlChapter 51 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang:
2 When locks go untrimmed in Israel, When people dedicate themselves — Bless the Lord!
3 Hear, O kings! Give ear, O potentates! I will sing, will sing to the Lord, Will hymn the Lord, the God of Israel.
4 O Lord, when You came forth from Seir, Advanced from the country of Edom, The earth trembled; The heavens dripped, Yea, the clouds dripped water,
5 The mountains quaked — Before the Lord, Him of Sinai, Before the Lord, God of Israel.
6 In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, In the days of Jael, caravans ceased, And wayfarers went By roundabout paths.
7 Deliverance ceased, Ceased in Israel, Till you arose, O Deborah, Arose, O mother, in Israel!
8 When they chose new gods, Was there a fighter then in the gates? No shield or spear was seen Among forty thousand in Israel!
9 My heart is with Israel's leaders, With the dedicated of the people — Bless the Lord!
10 You riders on tawny she-asses, You who sit on saddle rugs, And you wayfarers, declare it!
11 Louder than the sound of archers, There among the watering places Let them chant the gracious acts of the Lord, His gracious deliverance of Israel. Then did the people of the Lord March down to the gates!
12 Awake, awake, O Deborah! Awake, awake, strike up the chant! Arise, O Barak; Take your captives, O son of Abinoam!
13 Then was the remnant made victor over the mighty, The Lord's people won my victory over the warriors.
14 From Ephraim came they whose roots are in Amalek; After you, your kin Benjamin; From Machir came down leaders, From Zebulun such as hold the marshal's staff.
15 And Issachar's chiefs were with Deborah; As Barak, so was Issachar — Rushing after him into the valley. Among the clans of Reuben Were great decisions of heart.
16 Why then did you stay among the sheepfolds And listen as they pipe for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben Were great searchings of heart!
17 Gilead tarried beyond the Jordan; And Dan — why did he linger by the ships? Asher remained at the seacoast And tarried at his landings.
18 Zebulun is a people that mocked at death, Naphtali — on the open heights.
19 Then the kings came, they fought: The kings of Canaan fought At Taanach, by Megiddo's waters — They got no spoil of silver.
20 The stars fought from heaven, From their courses they fought against Sisera.
21 The torrent Kishon swept them away, The raging torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with courage!
22 Then the horses' hoofs pounded As headlong galloped the steeds.
23 "Curse Meroz!" said the angel of the Lord. "Bitterly curse its inhabitants, Because they came not to the aid of the Lord, To the aid of the Lord among the warriors."
24 Most blessed of women be Jael, Wife of Heber the Kenite, Most blessed of women in tents.
25 He asked for water, she offered milk; In a princely bowl she brought him curds.
26 Her (left) hand reached for the tent pin, Her right for the workmen's hammer. She struck Sisera, crushed his head, Smashed and pierced his temple.
27 At her feet he sank, lay outstretched, At her feet he sank, lay still; Where he sank, there he lay — destroyed.
28 Through the window peered Sisera's mother, Behind the lattice she whined: "Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why so late the clatter of his wheels?"
29 The wisest of her ladies give answer; She, too, replies to herself:
30 "They must be dividing the spoil they have found: A damsel or two for each man, Spoil of dyed cloths for Sisera, Spoil of embroidered cloths, A couple of embroidered cloths Round every neck as spoil."
31 So may all Your enemies perish, O Lord! But may His friends be as the sun rising in might!
Topic: Deborahs Song : Haftarah for Beshalach (Read 2114 times)