share torah logo

Exodus 15:25 - Divine remedy through Torah's wisdom

Exodus 15:25 - שמות 15:25

Hebrew Text

וַיִּצְעַק אֶל־יְהוָה וַיּוֹרֵהוּ יְהוָה עֵץ וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אֶל־הַמַּיִם וַיִּמְתְּקוּ הַמָּיִם שָׁם שָׂם לוֹ חֹק וּמִשְׁפָּט וְשָׁם נִסָּהוּ׃

English Translation

And he cried to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he tested them,

Transliteration

Vayitzak el-Adonai vayorehu Adonai etz vayashlech el-hamayim vayimtku hamayim sham sam lo chok umishpat vesham nisahu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּצְעַ֣ק אֶל־יְהֹוָ֗ה וַיּוֹרֵ֤הוּ יְהֹוָה֙ עֵ֔ץ וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ֙ אֶל־הַמַּ֔יִם וַֽיִּמְתְּק֖וּ הַמָּ֑יִם שָׁ֣ם שָׂ֥ם ל֛וֹ חֹ֥ק וּמִשְׁפָּ֖ט וְשָׁ֥ם נִסָּֽהוּ׃
וַיִּצְעַ֣ק אֶל־יְהֹוָ֗ה וַיּוֹרֵ֤הוּ יְהֹוָה֙ עֵ֔ץ וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ֙ אֶל־הַמַּ֔יִם וַֽיִּמְתְּק֖וּ הַמָּ֑יִם שָׁ֣ם שָׂ֥ם ל֛וֹ חֹ֥ק וּמִשְׁפָּ֖ט וְשָׁ֥ם נִסָּֽהוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 15:25) describes the incident at Marah, where the Israelites found bitter water after crossing the Red Sea. Moshe cried out to Hashem, who instructed him to cast a tree into the water, miraculously sweetening it. The verse concludes by mentioning that Hashem established statutes and ordinances there and tested Bnei Yisrael.

The Miracle of the Tree

Rashi explains that the "tree" (עֵץ) was not an ordinary piece of wood but something with a miraculous quality to transform bitterness into sweetness. The Midrash Tanchuma (Beshalach 24) suggests this tree was bitter itself, teaching that just as the bitter wood sweetened the water, so too will the bitterness of Torah study (which may seem difficult at first) ultimately bring sweetness to those who engage in it.

The Statutes and Ordinances

Ramban notes that the "statute and ordinance" (חֹק וּמִשְׁפָּט) given at Marah likely refers to foundational mitzvot such as Shabbat, honoring parents, and basic civil laws—preceding the full revelation at Sinai. The Mechilta (Beshalach 6) specifies that these included the mitzvah of the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer), symbolizing submission to divine commandments even when their reasoning is unclear.

The Test at Marah

The Sforno explains that the test (נִסָּהוּ) was whether Bnei Yisrael would trust Hashem's providence despite the hardship of bitter water. The Kli Yakar adds that this tested their willingness to accept Torah—just as they accepted the "bitter" becoming "sweet" through divine intervention, they would need to accept both the pleasant and challenging aspects of Torah life.

Symbolic Lessons

  • Bitterness to Sweetness: The Maharal (Gevurot Hashem 16) teaches that this episode symbolizes how suffering (bitterness) can be transformed into spiritual growth (sweetness) through divine guidance.
  • Torah as the "Tree": The Zohar (II:60b) connects this tree to the Tree of Life (עֵץ חַיִּים), representing Torah, which sweetens life's challenges when internalized.
  • Trust in Trials: The Or HaChaim emphasizes that the test at Marah established the pattern of emunah (faith) during trials, a recurring theme in the wilderness journey.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Ta'anit 7a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the power of prayer and divine intervention, illustrating how God responds to cries for help.
📖 Sanhedrin 56b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the laws and statutes given to the Israelites, particularly focusing on the concept of divine testing and commandments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse 'And he cried to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree...' mean?
A: This verse describes how Moshe (Moses) prayed to Hashem when the Israelites found bitter water at Marah. Hashem instructed Moshe to throw a specific tree into the water, which miraculously sweetened it. According to Rashi, this tree was bitter itself, showing that Hashem can transform bitterness into sweetness as a sign of His power.
Q: Why did Hashem test the Israelites at Marah?
A: The verse states 'there He tested them.' The Midrash explains that this was to teach the Israelites to trust in Hashem even in difficult situations. Rambam adds that tests in the wilderness prepared them for receiving the Torah, strengthening their faith and commitment to mitzvot (commandments).
Q: What is the significance of the 'statute and ordinance' given at Marah?
A: Rashi explains that at Marah, Hashem gave the Israelites some basic mitzvot, such as Shabbat and honoring parents, to prepare them for full Torah observance at Sinai. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 56b) also mentions that they received laws like justice and kindness to establish a moral foundation.
Q: How does the miracle of the bitter waters apply to us today?
A: The lesson is that just as Hashem transformed bitterness into sweetness, He can do the same in our lives when we turn to Him in prayer. The Sages teach that challenges (like the bitter waters) are opportunities for growth, and emunah (faith) helps us overcome difficulties with Hashem's help.
Q: Why did Hashem use a tree to sweeten the water?
A: The Midrash suggests that the tree symbolizes Torah (as in Proverbs 3:18, 'It is a tree of life to those who grasp it'). Just as the tree sweetened the water, Torah sweetens life’s hardships. Alternatively, Rashi says it was a test—using something bitter to fix bitterness shows that salvation can come from unexpected places.