Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

Revelation of the Crown

"G-d will fight… and you – hold your peace." (14,14)

On the verse in our Parsha "G-d said to Moshe wherefore do you cry…speak unto the Children of Israel that they go forward" the holy Zohar explains that at the splitting of the Red Sea the conduct of Crown (כתר) (Keter) of G-d the King of the Universe was revealed.  What is G-d's conduct of Crown?

The Zohar explains that in the conduct of Crown there is no judging by law and justice, only by total mercy and kindness. From this conduct the 13 Attributes of Mercy are brought upon Israel even when they are not deserving, as it says in the Gemara "I will have compassion upon the one I have compassion" - even someone not proper. "And I will have mercy on the one I have mercy " – even someone not proper.

We learn from here an important foundation – that in the Crown of G-d, King of the Universe, there do no shine forth precious stones and pearls, rather the 13 Attributes of Mercy shine out - "Merciful, Compassionate…. Full of Love and Truth…Forgiving crookedness and rebellion…"  We should know that the trait of Truth is the central/core and vitality of all the 13 Attributes of Mercy and that is what was revealed in great light and saved the Children of Israel at the splitting of the Red Sea, as is alluded to in the words wherefore do you cry unto me"- "מה תצעק אלי" – which are the initials of Truth אמת.

We should add that the holy Zohar calls the conduct of Crown – "Open Eye" – for this conducts is like an open eye without a covering for it is always open. This reminds us that G-d's Eyes are open in constant ongoing supervision to watch over the Children of Israel, as it says, "The Protector of Israel does not slumber…."

Accordingly, we can understand the Jewish custom of eating fish on Shabbat for fish do not have a covering for their eyes and their eyes are always open, arousing the conduct of the Crown – the conduct of the Open Eye that supervises, guards and brings mercy and kindness to Israel.

In summation, on Shabbat in the Musaf Prayer when we say in the Kedusah "Keter (a crown) will be given to you, G-d", a person should have intentions to beg G-d to always rule His nation Israel with the conduct of Crown- Keter – to supervise and guard His children like the apple of His eye.

May the continuation of that said in the Kedusha of Keter – "He is our G-d He is our Father… He is our Savior He will save us and redeem us again" be fulfilled speedily in our days, Amen.

SHABBAT SHALOM!!!