Parshas Bishalach: Vilna Gaon - In The Zechus Of Jumping Into The Sea
‘Vayavoyu Bnei Yisroel B'Soch HaYomBaYabashah VihaMayim LaHem Chomah MiMinam U'Mismolam." (14,22). "U'Vnei Yisroel Halchu BaYabashah B'Soch HaYom VihaMayim LaHem Chomah MiMinam U'Mismolam." (14,29) "The Children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea; the water was a wall for them, on their right and on their left." In Pasuk 22 the Torah writes first B'Soch HaYom - the Jews went in to the sea, then afterwards BaYabashah - on to the dry land. As opposed to pasuk 29 where it says first BaYabashah - on the dry land and then B'Soch HaYom - in to the sea? Secondly, why is the word "Chomah" - a wall - written in pasuk 22 with a "Vav"; however in Pasuk 29 it is written without a "Vav"?
The Vilna Gaon answers, when the Jews were standing trapped between the Egyptians and the sea, The Malachim complained to Hashem saying, ‘Why are these Jews worthy of being saved? - "Hallalu Ovdai Avodah Zarah ViHallalu Ovdai Avodah Zarah" - both the Jews and the Mitzrim worshipped idols. Why should the Jews merit in destroying the Egyptians? They are just standing at the sea waiting for a miracle to happen! Hashem answered, "Look, there are Jews who have such great Emunah that they are jumping in to the sea even before it was split." - Referring to Nachshon Ben Aminadav and the rest of Shevet Yehudah who followed him.
In Pasuk 22 it says, B'Soch HaYomBaYabashah - referring to Nachshon and Shevet Yehudah who went in to the Yam, before it split, with tremendous Bitachon and then it became Yabasha - dry land. In that Pasuk Chomah is written with a ‘Vav" - the water was a wall for them because of their Bitachon. However, in Pasuk 29 it says, BaYabashah B'Soch HaYom - referring to the Jews who waited till it was dry before entering the sea. Concerning those people who lacked the Emunah the pasuk continues ‘VihaMayim LaHem Chaymmah" - without a "Vav' it spells Chaymah -anger. The waters were upset at these Jews because they were no better than the Egyptians. "Hallalu Ovdai Avodah Zarah ViHallalu Ovdai Avodah Zarah"
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