Livingston—In honor of Shabbat Shira, the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy studied the song “Az Yashir.” According to Mechilta 15:1, there are only 10 songs that were written between Creation and the end of the Scriptural period. These songs are a sign of an elevated spiritual status or deeper understanding of seemingly unrelated events. In this week’s song, it is not just Moshe or the prophets who reached this heightened status, but all of Bnei Yisrael. Although we recite “Az Yashir” daily in Shacharit, we do not always pause to appreciate its deeper meaning or significance.
While studying Parshat Hashavua this week, JKHA students had the opportunity to focus on the meaning of this special song. In the Early Childhood classes, teachers focused on what happened before Bnei Yisrael sang. The students reenacted what happened to Bnei Yisrael as they left Egypt. “Moshe” met the students at their classrooms and “led them out of Egypt.” With the Egyptians not far behind, the students had to stop when they reached the Yam Suf. Together they prayed to Hashem and then “Moshe” raised his staff and split the sea. The children were so happy to get through before the water returned to its normal state. Once they all crossed to the other side, they danced and sang and were excited to begin their journey to Israel.
In addition to the specific lessons taught in class about Parashat Hashavua, the Lower School students came together for a multimedia presentation and assembly that helped instill an appreciation for this song. The mood in the auditorium was set as the students traveled to their seats following the cloud by day and the flames by night. After seeing and hearing the sea water that stood before them, they experienced the glory and power of the miracle of the splitting of the sea. As a group, the students learned about the significance of a “song” in the Torah and saw how “Az Yashir” appears in the Torah with its distinct spacing and configuration. After hearing “Az Yashir,” the assembly ended with the beat of Miriam’s drum.
“Az Yashir” does not just recap the events that occurred when Bnei Yisrael left Egypt, but highlights how all of the pieces of God’s plan came together.
By Erica Rosenfeld
