Beshalach | Miriam's Role in the Song at the Sea

From KMTT - the Torah Podcast by KMTT.

• Published: Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:36:00 +0000
• Duration: 34:13
• Books: Exodus
• Parsha: Beshalach
• Audio: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/kmtt/Beshalach5786_RYEtshalom.mp3?dest-id=12657
• Page: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/kmtt/Beshalach5786_RYEtshalom.mp3
• TorahApp: https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_kmtt/e/bd5968d5-8a5b-441d-9b3a-df8cdbdee5b1

Beshalach | Miriam's Role in the Song at the Sea, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

The introductory line to the Song at the Sea (Shemot 15:1) is enigmatic on several counts. First of all, why is Moshe listed separately - and the verb ישיר is in the singular - if all of the people sang? Furthermore, how would they all know what to say/sing? We review the various Tannaitic opinions addressing these questions and Moshe's role in the paean. Furthermore, we explore the purpose and added praise which Miriam's actions brought about - if the women had already "sung" with all of Bnei Yisrael, what did they accomplish by singing again by themselves?