"Think Tank” is a new section in Torah from Dixie which will pose thought-provoking & philosophical queries relating to the Torah portion. The questions are written by Chaim Saiman. Below is the one which appears in the Parshat Beshalach issue of Torah from Dixie.

THINK TANK

STOP COMPLAINING!

As the Jewish people witnessed the Red Sea collapse on the pursuing Egyptians, they must have looked back at the recent events in utter amazement. In a matter of a few short months, they were miraculously transformed from a collection of downtrodden slaves to the most respected tribe in the world. To top it all off, they became a nation of prophets at the sea. The begging question is: What happened afterwards? Immediately after the Torah records the Song at the Sea, we are told of the Jews' complaints concerning the lack of water, food, and water again. Not only do they complain over the lack of provisions, but they begin to doubt G-d as well (see Exodus 17:7). Further, though Hashem quells their thirst and hunger, the tone of the complaints becomes increasingly aggressive (compare Exodus 15:24 to 16:2-3, to 17:2-3).

How did things in the desert unravel so quickly? Why does the temporary lack of provisions turn into distrust of Hashem? Alternatively, we can reverse the question and ask what was Hashem's original plan? Surely He "foresaw" the logistical problem of a three-million person encampment in the desert? Why did He wait until the Jews were thirsty to provide them with water?

For those who are especially ambitious, compare these three episodes to the complaints of the Jews in Numbers 11. Why are these complaints repeated one year into the desert journey? What is different about those complaints?

Chaim Saiman, a native Atlantan and graduate of Georgia State University, is studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel.

E-mail your thoughts to thinktank@tfdixie.com and we’ll post them up here on this page.

RESPONSES:

Read the Bereishit Think Tank

Read the Noach Think Tank

Read the Lech Lecha Think Tank

Read the Vayeira Think Tank

Read the Chayei Sarah Think Tank

Read the Toldot Think Tank

Read the Vayishlach Think Tank

Read the Vayeishev Think Tank

Read the Mikeitz Think Tank

Read the Vayigash Think Tank

Read the Vayechi Think Tank

Read the Shmot Think Tank

Read the Vaera Think Tank

Read the Bo Think Tank