Being God's “Hope Dealers”
Parashat Beshalach, Exodus 13:17-17:16
Rabbi Isaac S. Roussel, Congregation Zera Avraham, Ann Arbor, MI
This week’s parasha, Beshalach, is one of the most dramatic and inspiring portions in the Torah. It tells of Israel’s miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea — a moment when all seemed lost, and yet, through divine intervention, salvation came.
In our parasha it says, “The Children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold! Egypt was advancing after them. They were terrified, and the Children of Israel cried out to Hashem” (Exod 14:10).
The Israelites found themselves trapped between the sea and the might of Pharaoh’s army. Their immediate response was fear, despair, and even bitterness toward Moshe: “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?” (Exod 14:11).
Moshe responds to this complaint: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance Hashem will bring you today. . . . Hashem will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exod 14:13-14).
But Hashem does not merely call for stillness—He calls for action: “Then Hashem said to Moshe, 'Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward'" (Exod 14:15).
Rabbinic commentary in the Midrash (Mechilta d'Rabbi Yishmael on 14:15) suggests that this was not merely about walking into the water but about taking a leap of faith. The Talmud (Sotah 37a) tells us of Nachshon ben Aminadav, who stepped into the sea before it parted, demonstrating faith in motion.
My birthday is this week. As my family asked me for gift ideas, I found myself browsing the internet for inspiration. While looking at hats, I came across one with a stylized font that, at first glance, seemed to say “Dope Dealer.” It startled me, prompting a closer look. To my surprise, I realized it actually said, “Hope Dealer,” created by a company that supports those overcoming addiction.
That phrase resonated deeply with me. In these turbulent times, filled with uncertainty and despair, I reflected on the idea that we, as followers of Hashem and disciples of Yeshua, are called to be Hope Dealers—not just to have hope, but to actively share it. Hope is not something we passively receive; it is something we must distribute generously. Just as Hashem called Israel to step forward in faith at the Red Sea, we are called to step forward and be bearers of light, demonstrating through our words and deeds that redemption is always near. In a world thirsting for reassurance, let us become vessels of divine hope, spreading it wherever we go.
This imperative of hope is illustrated through three powerful events in Israel’s history: the Song of the Sea, God's command to erect memorial stones, and the revelation at the Burning Bush.
After the miraculous crossing, Israel bursts into song:
Then Moshe and the Israelites sang this song to Hashem: “I will sing to Hashem, for He is highly exalted. Both horse and driver He has hurled into the sea.” (Exod 15:1)
This moment is not just about celebration but about prophecy. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 23:11) teaches that just as Hashem redeemed Israel then, He will redeem them in the Messianic Age. This song is a foretaste of the greater redemption in Yeshua, of whom it is written:
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood, You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev 5:9)
Just as Israel’s song was a declaration of freedom, so too is the song of the redeemed in the Messianic Age. The victory of Hashem is not just for the past—it is for today and for eternity.
God revealed His name as YHVH to Moshe at the Burning Bush. This is often translated as “I am Who I am.” The Talmud (Berachot 9b) offers another interpretation: “I am with you in this trouble and will be with you in future troubles.” His name embodies both a present and future assurance.
God also instructed Israel to erect memorial stones. For example, after crossing the Yarden River, they erected a pile of stones as “a memorial to the people of Israel forever” (Josh 4:6-7).
Similarly, today, we may experience dire straits, but as Hope Dealers, it is our role to recall past acts of deliverance and recognize them as signposts of future redemption. God’s demonstrated emunah (faithfulness) is the source of our hope. As Hope Dealers, it is imperative that we sing the songs of redemption, point to the memorial stones, and proclaim Hashem’s enduring name.
Parashat Beshalach is a call not only to hope but to become Hope Dealers. It reminds us that:
God is our deliverer, parting the seas before us.
Faith requires action, stepping forward in trust.
We are called to sing the song of redemption, even in the wilderness.
We must actively share hope with those around us, bringing light into the darkness.
As we face the trials of our time—whether personal, communal, or global—let us remember the words of the Lord through Isaiah:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” (Isa 43:1-2)
Our Messiah has already won the ultimate victory and promises that he will be with us to the very end of the age. This promise sustains us, reminding us that we do not walk alone, but as vessels of divine hope, carrying His presence wherever we go.
Today, as we face a renewed onslaught on civil rights and human dignity, it is imperative that we become God's Hope Dealers—standing as beacons of hope and agents of divine justice in the world.
May we sing the Song of Redemption, reminding others that Hashem is with us through every trial.
May we point to the multitude of memorial stones stacked up throughout our lives and the lives of others, for each stone is a testament to God's faithfulness, a reminder of past victories, and a beacon of future deliverance.
May we constantly remind others that God's name literally means that He will be with us in all our trials.
And in doing so, we will truly become God's Hope Dealers!
Shabbat Shalom.