A Brief Moment of Biblical Literacy: Beshalach

The Torah’s contemporaneous composition is a misconception. The Torah itself dispels the assumption that the totality of its passages were crafted in temporal proximity to the events. One of these instances is in the Torah Portion Beshalach.

A Beshalach passage illustrates a writing style with a pedagogical purpose.

The Passage

The Beshalach passage at issue involves manna’s introduction to the Children of Israel.

This event occurs in close proximity to the the Exodus’ beginnings; about the time of the Red Sea parting.

The Portion steps put of time. It alludes to the Exodus’ end. The Torah’s author states “And the Children of Israel ate manna forty years until they came to settled land.” Exodus 16:35. It is also told that a manna portion was to be kept and placed near the Tablets. Exodus 16:33-34.

The passage obviously must have been written at least forty years after the initial Exodus events. Thus, the writer purposely interjects future events with the narrative.

Why?

Without the author’s explanation, one can surmise. Perhaps the author is preparing the readers for both disappointment and curiosity.

The reader, with the passage’s benefit, now know the journey to the Promised Land will protracted. They also know that they will actually make it to the Promised Land. Also, the Portion alludes to the Decalogue.

Likewise, for the first-time reader, their curiosity is peaked. They know the dramatic dash out of Egypt is not followed up by a prompt Promised Land entry. Something significant must have happened.

While the reader is cautioned about the prolonged journey, they are assured of a mission accomplished.

Thus, the Torah is not to be fully consumed as a narrative. The added facts arguably redirect and refocus readers. Knowing the future may give rise to the readers changing focus to the journey. As of Beshalach, the saga’s end is known and there are three and one-half books of the Pentateuch unread.

Conclusion

Careful Torah reading sheds away misconceptions of broad stroked assumptions. The author’s decision revealing future events appears to serve some education purpose; refocusing the reader to matters of greater import. Those matters are mysterious.

By doing this, the dramatic sensation of keeping the reader in suspense is not completely valued. Rather, the writer is crafting an awareness of trajectory.

One may surmise that the writer wants the reader to focus on the forty years of wilderness wandering. The question is why? What is period so special?

Be well!!

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