Seventh day of Passover
Hasidic Rebbes traditionally hold a tish on the night of Shvi’i shel Pesach and place a cup or bowl of water on the table before them. They use this opportunity to speak about the Splitting of the Sea to their disciples, and sing songs of praise to God.
If someone were to ask me which of the eight days of Passover is my favorite I would say the seventh were I living in Israel or eighth outside of Israel. I don’t know why but of all the miracles described in the Bible the “Splitting of the Sea” has got to be the highlight for me. I used to imagine what it would be like to be lead from slavery as we were from Egypt and then finding yourself on the beach with no escape. Really. No place to go. Suddenly the sea splits in two allowing you to walk between walls of water and as you proceed the water closes in on those in pursuit of you and they all are drowned! WOW! What a story! No wonder they saved it for last. ”The drowning of all Egyptian chariots, horses and soldiers that pursued them”! According to the story only the Pharaoh was spared to give testimony to what had occurred. Quite a miracle I would say; so balanced on so many levels. The “Children of Israel” needed to be free and Moses was just the man for the job, but, what of Pharaoh? To simply drown him with the others is not nearly as awesome as making him the sole witness to something so spectacular, it boggles the mind! I don’t know about you but were I at the beach and suddenly the waters parted, I might drop my Pina Colada! As I get older I understand more and more clearly just why we have special china used only for Passover. It’s pretty special.
