Parashat Beshalach: From the Splitting of the Sea to the Splitting of the Earth’s Silence

This coming Shabbat — 31 January 2026 (13 Sh’vat 5786) — we read Parashat Beshalach, the portion in Shemot describing one of the most stirring moments in the history of Klal Yisrael. After leaving Egypt, Am Yisrael finds themselves between Pharaoh’s chariots and the Sea. In Hashem’s miraculous salvation, the waters split, and the Israelites walked through on dry land. They sing Az Yashir, the Song of the Sea — a timeless hymn of faith, courage, and gratitude.

Beshalach is often called Shabbat Shirah — the Sabbath of Song — because of this extraordinary ode to Hashem. It is a moment that transcends time, reminding us that when we place our trust in Hashem, even the most overwhelming barriers become pathways.

This week’s parasha also contains profound lessons about faith in daily sustenance. In the desert, the people complain of hunger, and Hashem responds with manna, bread from heaven, teaching that our sustenance ultimately comes from Above. These narratives invite us to consider our relationship with nature and our dependence on the world around us, as well as on the One Who sustains all life.

Is It Tu BiShvat This Week? Timing and Meaning

Although the secular date 28 January 2026 is not yet Tu BiShvat, the festival of the New Year for Trees, it approaches soon after Shabbat Shirah. In 5786, Tu BiShvat fell on Monday, 2 February 2026 (15 Shevat 5786), beginning at sunset on Sunday, 1 February 2026.

Tu BiShvat — ראש השנה לאילנות — marks a halachic new year for trees, originally significant for agricultural tithing laws and orlah (the prohibition on the fruit of a new tree). Today it has blossomed into a beautiful tradition: planting trees, eating the fruits of Israel — especially the Seven Species — and celebrating God’s creation.

The timing of Tu BiShvat, in the depth of winter in the Northern Hemisphere but just as many trees begin their flowering cycle in Eretz Yisrael, highlights a deep Jewish insight: life and renewal can emerge even in the bleakest seasons. Also, on a personal level, I cherish Tu BiShvat not only because it coincides with my birthday, but because it symbolizes renewal, hidden growth, and the quiet promise that even beneath winter’s surface, life is already preparing to blossom.

From Torah to Earth: A Contemporary Call to Sustainability

The juxtaposition of Beshalach and Tu BiShvat offers a powerful message. In Beshalach we see miraculous sustenance provided from heaven; in Tu BiShvat we learn to appreciate and care for the natural world that Hashem created. These themes together invite us to reflect on how we balance trust in Hashem with responsibility for His world.

Our Sages teach that “For every blade of grass that grows, there is an angel that bends over it and whispers, ‘Grow, grow!’” Although this midrash highlights Hashem’s involvement in nature, it also reminds us that creation is sacred and worthy of our respect. The Song of the Sea begins with praise for Hashem’s might — “Az yashir Moshe…” — and leads us to see God’s presence not only in miracles but in every leaf and living thing.

In our contemporary age, when issues such as deforestation, climate change, and sustainability are urgent global concerns, Tu BiShvat has a renewed resonance. Many Jews hold Tu BiShvat sedarim that echo the Four Worlds of Kabbalah, connecting spiritual growth with physical action — eating fruit mindfully, planting trees, and committing to environmental stewardship.

This year, as we approach Tu BiShvat, we can ask: How can we, as a community, live Torah values in harmony with the world Hashem entrusted to us? Whether through simple acts — planting a tree, reducing waste, supporting sustainable farming — or through communal initiatives, this season can be a time to affirm that Torah Judaism cherishes creation.

Conclusion: A Torah of Faith, A World of Responsibility

Parashat Beshalach and Tu BiShvat together call us to deep faith and heartfelt responsibility. From the splitting of the sea to the awakening of the trees, the message is timeless: Hashem sustains all, and we are partners in His creation.

As we sing the songs of Shabbat and celebrate the fruits of Eretz Yisrael in the coming week, let us deepen our gratitude for the natural world and renew our commitment to preserving it — in Torah values, in daily practice, and in the world we will leave to future generations.

Shabbat Shalom, Maddie Myriam Schumann