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Exodus 15:22 - Thirst tests faith's endurance

Exodus 15:22 - שמות 15:22

Hebrew Text

וַיַּסַּע מֹשֶׁה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִיַּם־סוּף וַיֵּצְאוּ אֶל־מִדְבַּר־שׁוּר וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁלֹשֶׁת־יָמִים בַּמִּדְבָּר וְלֹא־מָצְאוּ מָיִם׃

English Translation

So Moshe brought Yisra᾽el from the Sea of Suf, and they went out to the wilderness of Shur; and they marched three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

Transliteration

Va'yasa Moshe et Yisrael mi'Yam Suf va'yetze'u el midbar Shur va'yeilchu shloshet yamim ba'midbar ve'lo matz'u mayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּסַּ֨ע מֹשֶׁ֤ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִיַּם־ס֔וּף וַיֵּצְא֖וּ אֶל־מִדְבַּר־שׁ֑וּר וַיֵּלְכ֧וּ שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת־יָמִ֛ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר וְלֹא־מָ֥צְאוּ מָֽיִם׃
וַיַּסַּ֨ע מֹשֶׁ֤ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִיַּם־ס֔וּף וַיֵּצְא֖וּ אֶל־מִדְבַּר־שׁ֑וּר וַיֵּלְכ֧וּ שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת־יָמִ֛ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר וְלֹא־מָ֥צְאוּ מָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Journey After the Splitting of the Sea

The verse (Shemot 15:22) describes Bnei Yisrael's departure from Yam Suf (the Sea of Reeds) and their entry into the wilderness of Shur. Rashi explains that the wilderness of Shur was named after the city of Shur, which was located near the border of Egypt (see Bereishit 16:7). This was the first stage of their journey into the wilderness.

The Three Days Without Water

The Torah emphasizes that they traveled for three days without finding water. The Midrash (Mechilta Beshalach 1) teaches that this was a test from Hashem to strengthen their faith after witnessing the miracles at Yam Suf. Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that this was a necessary hardship to prepare them for future challenges in the wilderness.

Spiritual Significance of "No Water"

Water is often used in Torah as a metaphor for Torah itself (see Talmud, Bava Kama 82a). The Mechilta suggests that the three days without water allude to the future mitzvah of publicly reading the Torah every three days (later codified as the Monday and Thursday readings). This teaches that one should not go three days without engaging in Torah study.

  • Rashi's Practical Explanation: The lack of water was a physical hardship to teach reliance on Hashem.
  • Midrashic Interpretation: The three days foreshadow the importance of regular Torah study.
  • Ramban's View: This was part of the divine plan to refine Bnei Yisrael's character.

The Location of Marah

The next verses describe their arrival at Marah where the waters were bitter. The Sforno explains that this entire sequence - from Yam Suf to Shur to Marah - was deliberately orchestrated to bring them to Mount Sinai via a specific route that would teach them important spiritual lessons before receiving the Torah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Israelites go three days without water after crossing the Red Sea?
A: According to Rashi (Exodus 15:22), this was a test from Hashem to see if the Israelites would trust in Him after witnessing the great miracles at the Red Sea. The Midrash (Mechilta) explains that sometimes Hashem brings difficulties to strengthen our faith.
Q: What is the significance of the 'wilderness of Shur' mentioned in this verse?
A: The wilderness of Shur (Exodus 15:22) was a harsh desert area bordering Egypt. Ramban explains that this location shows how completely the Israelites left Egypt behind, entering a place where they had to rely entirely on Hashem for survival.
Q: How does this verse about lacking water relate to our lives today?
A: The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 5b) teaches that just as the Israelites faced tests in the wilderness, we too face challenges that help us grow spiritually. When we encounter difficulties (symbolized by lack of water), we should turn to Torah (symbolized as water in many teachings) for sustenance.
Q: Why does the Torah mention they traveled exactly three days without water?
A: The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 24:1) explains that three days is the maximum time a person can typically go without water. This emphasizes the urgency of their situation and sets the stage for the miracle at Marah that follows (Exodus 15:25), where Hashem showed them how to make bitter water sweet.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the Israelites' experience of finding no water?
A: The Sforno (Exodus 15:22) teaches that this episode shows that even after great miracles, we must remain patient and faithful during difficult times. Just as Hashem ultimately provided for the Israelites, we must trust that He will provide for our needs in His time.