Aggada -- Translations into English; Bible. Old Testament -- Legends; Jewish legends; Midrash -- Translations into English
In other respects, too, it shall be in the world to come as it was at
the time of the song by the sea. For when Israel intoned the song of
praise, God put on a festive robe, on which were embroidered all the
promises for a happy future to Israel. Among them were written: "Then
shall thy light break forth as the morning"; "Then said they among the
heathen. 'The Lord hath done great things for them,'" and many similar
promises. But when Israel sinned, God rent the festive robe, and He
will not restore it, or put it on until the coming of the future world.
[69]
After the men had completed the song, the women under the guidance of
Miriam sang the same song to the accompaniment of music and dancing.
The Israelites had had perfect faith, that God would perform for them
miracles and deeds of glory, hence they had provided themselves with
timbrels and with flutes, that they might have them at hand to glorify
the anticipated miracles. [70] Then Miriam said to the women, "Let us
sing unto the Lord, for strength and sublimity are His; He lords it
over the lordly, and He resents presumption. He hurled Pharaoh's horses
and chariots into the sea, and drowned them, because wicked Pharaoh in
his presumption pursued God's people, Israel." [71]
THE AWFUL DESERT
Just as Israel had displayed sullenness and lack of faith upon
approaching the sea, so did they upon leaving it. Hardly had they seen
that the Egyptians met death in the waters of the sea, when they spoke
to Moses, and said: "God had led us from Egypt only to grant us five
tokens: To give us the wealth of Egypt, to let us walk in clouds of
glory, to cleave the sea for us, to take vengeance on the Egyptians,
and to let us sing Him a song of praise. Now that all this has taken
place, let us return to Egypt." Moses answered: "The Eternal said, 'The
Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, yes shall see them again no more
forever.'" But the people were not yet content, and said, "Now the
Egyptians are all dead, and therefore we can return to Egypt." Then
Moses said, "You must now redeem your pledge, for God said, 'When thou
hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon
this mountain.'" Still the people remained headstrong, and without
giving heed to Moses, they set out on the road to Egypt, under the
guidance of an idol that they had brought with them out of Egypt, and
had even retained during their passage through the sea. Only through
sheer force was Moses able to restrain them from their sinful
transgression. [72] This was the second of the ten temptations with
which Israel tempted God during their wanderings through the desert.
[73]
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