Shirat Hayam- A Triumphant Song of Jewish Victory

One of the oldest melodies in Jewish history is the song of national triumph sung by Moses and the Children of Israel after our miraculous deliverance at the Red (or Reed Sea). It appears in the Book of Exodus (Chapter 15) and is popularly called "Shirat Hayam" (The Song of the Sea), or simply The Shirah (The Song). Tradition dates this event as having occurred on the seventh day after the Exodus from Egypt. In Temple days, the Levites sang the Shirah at the afternoon sacrifice of Shabbat day. Later it became fixed as a daily recital at the conclusion of Pesukei Dezimrah in the morning service. Sefer Hamanhig attaches great significance to its recitation, for Scripture states, "That you may remember the day you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life..." (Deuteronomy 16:3).

The Shirah is read publicly in the synagogue on the seventh day of Passover as part of the Scriptural reading, as well as on Shabbat Parashat Beshalach. This Sabbath is called Shabbat Shira. Among Hassidic sects there is a special ceremony at midnight on the seventh day of Passover where the Shirah is sung again. In Israel it is sung ceremonially on the seventh day of Passover at the beach in Tel-Aviv and Eilat. The chant is based on the cantillation accents, but differs in melody especially at verses 15:1,2,3,6,11,16, and 48. The stylistic device of parallelism in these verses is emphasized by utilizing a festive melody. The special melody is intentionally adapted to these verses in order to publicize the miracle of the splitting of the sea. In other locales (e.g., Poland, Galicia) each verse, of the Shirah is rendered with this special melody .

In order to recall a sentiment of victory, the two-part melodic Shirah tune has been adapted as a representative theme for a variety of texts. The unanimous response theme Hazak Hazak Venit'hazzek -("Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened!") declaimed by the congregation and reader at the completion of each of the Five Books of Moses utilizes the second part of the tune. In this case it is no doubt used to mark a moment of triumph and jubilation at the completion of a book of the Torah, and to take courage and start a new book. Adapting the Shirah melody when reading Berashit on Simchat Torah (at Vayehi erev, -vayehi Voker...) for each of the six days of Creation designates a moment of exaltation. Each stage indicates a moment of achievement, and thus the victory tune is most fitting. The entire Shirah tune is adapted for the Biblical section in "Eileh Maasai in describing the journeys (masaot) of the our people through the Sinai.

All of the events and vicissitudes that confronted the Israelites, their wanderings after the Exodus, until 38 years later when they were about to enter the Holy Land, are recounted. Each halting-place is marked by some attainment in their lives. The entire Shirah melody can be identified with the Ashamnu confessional recited on Yom Kippur. While reciting this confession, the worshipper hopes and prays that he/she will be exonerated from all sins and leave the synagogue victoriously.

On Friday evening, at Kabbalat Shabbat, the Cantor or Shaliach tzibbur may also use the Shirah chant for the opening--psalm Lekhu Neranenah. We use this tune to emphasize that we were able to live through the past week
successfully and will be recharged for the week to come, The Shirah is noted for its forceful text, poetic fire and vivid imagery, and its tune became associated, throughout Jewish history, with attaining a state of triumph, joy, and exultation.

The Shirah is so special that the Midrash makes reference to it in commenting on the verse, in Song of Songs 2:14),1 "My dove in the clefts of the rock... let me hear your voice" the Midrash states that G-d is speaking to the people of Israel saying, "Let Me hear the same voice with which you cried out to Me in Egypt (Shemot Rabbah21:5).

May this Passover, its traditions, songs and special Shirat Hayam Torah reading be a wonderful and joyous festival for all of us.