In this week\u2019s parsha<\/i> the Torah recounts the miraculous events of the Yam Suf<\/i>. Hashem splits the sea and provides a path of escape for the Jews from their Egyptian pursuers. The sea-walls remain firm for the Jews, then come crashing down on the wicked Egyptians, finishing them off for good.<\/p>\n
It would appear that this event should be a cause of great celebration. In fact, the Gemara (Sanhedrin 39b<\/i>) tells us that even the angels were ecstatic, and wanted to sing a song of praise to the Almighty for this wondrous salvation. However, Hashem rejected the angels\u2019 praise, telling them, \u201cMy handiwork is drowning in the sea, and you want to sing merrily?\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that Hashem saved His chosen people from their oppressors in this spectacular fashion, and despite the fact that the perpetrators were really a bunch of sinister thugs, the Egyptians were nevertheless the creations of Hashem. Consequently, their demise was not a cause for jubilation.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, we find that Moshe Rabbeinu and the B\u2019nai Yisrael<\/i> indeed went on to sing songs of praise and joy. Immediately following the aquatic decimation of the Egyptians, the Torah records the beautiful Az Yashir<\/i>, the hymn that joyously chronicles the suffering of the Egyptians as they sank into the abyss.<\/p>\n
How can we square the singing of the Jews\u2014which was initiated by Moshe\u2014with Hashem\u2019s censure of the angels\u2019 desire to sing?<\/p>\n
In search of an explanation, we turn to a thought from the Maharsha in Sanhedrin, who quotes a Mishnah in Rosh Hashanah (4:7<\/i>) which discusses shacharis<\/i> and mussaf<\/i>. The Mishnah states:<\/p>\n
\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1\u05b5\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05dc \u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b7\u05ea\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05de\u05b7\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b6\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Rosh Hashanah, the shofar<\/i>-blowing takes place during the recital of the \u2018second\u2019 chazzan <\/i>(during mussaf<\/i>). At other times, it is the \u2018first\u2019 chazzan<\/i> (during shacharis<\/i>) who conducts the recitation of Hallel<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mishnah seems to be telling us two relatively straightforward halachos<\/i>:<\/p>\n When the Mishnah discusses the shofar, obviously we must be referring to Rosh Hashanah. Yet, when the Tanna<\/i> refers to Hallel<\/i>, the setting is changed to \u2018other times.\u2019<\/p>\n Why couldn\u2019t the Mishnah stick to Rosh Hashanah when discussing the second halachah<\/i>? Based on this distinction, the Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 32b<\/i>) deduces that Hallel<\/i> is omitted on Rosh Hashanah, despite its being said on all of the other Yomim Tovim<\/i> (besides for Yom Kippur).<\/p>\n The Gemara\u2019s explanation for Hallel\u2019s<\/i> omission may sound somewhat familiar: While the King of Kings sits in judgment on His Throne of Glory, and the books of life and death are open before Him, it is not appropriate to render joyous exaltation.<\/p>\n Once again, we are faced with an apparent contradiction. When people\u2014even wicked people\u2014are consigned to death, there is no place for joyous singing, as we see from the omission of Hallel<\/i> on the Yamim Noraim<\/i>. How, then, could the Jews sing upon witnessing the downfall of the Mitzrim<\/i>?<\/p>\n Based on the Gemara\u2019s explanation, the Maharsha identifies two distinct types of song: hallel<\/i> and shirah<\/i>.<\/p>\n The halachah<\/i> forbidding the recitation of Hallel<\/i> on Rosh Hashanah indicates that Hashem discourages the hallel<\/i> type of song when people\u2014even wicked ones\u2014are suffering punishment. Similarly, Hashem refused to allow the angels to sing hallel<\/i> at the sea.<\/p>\n However, when the Jews sang Az Yashir<\/i>, they were not engaging in hallel<\/i>; rather, they were singing the shirah<\/i> type of song.<\/p>\n What exactly is the difference between hallel<\/i> and shira<\/i>?<\/p>\n In elucidating the words of R\u2019 Aharon Kotler (Mishnas Rebbi Aharon vol. 3<\/i>), R\u2019 Yeruchem Olshin explains that there are actually two distinct benefits of singing praise to Hashem. The first benefit relates to Hashem: namely, singing praise brings glory to His Name. This type of praise is referred to as hallel<\/i>.<\/p>\n The second benefit of song relates to the singers themselves. While the mere experience of witnessing a miracle makes a significant impression on the spectator, the verbal expression<\/i> of awe and amazement formulated into song substantially strengthens his emunah. Through song, the lessons of Hashem\u2019s great power and providence become permanently emblazoned on the spectator\u2019s soul. This type of praise is referred to as shirah<\/i>.<\/p>\n When the angels desired to sing praise to Hashem as the Egyptians perished at sea, their song could only be characterized as hallel<\/i>. No significant benefit of song would be accrued to the angels themselves; as permanent residents of the Heavenly spheres, the strengthening of emunah<\/i> is unnecessary for them. The only benefit of their song would have been to relate the glory of Hashem. As such, Hashem chose to forego the angels\u2019 hallel<\/i> in light of the suffering of His creations.<\/p>\n However, for the B\u2019nai Yisrael<\/i> the encounter at the sea was a remarkable opportunity that could not be passed up. As denizens of this world, it was extremely important that the Jews take advantage of this rare chance to witness the workings of the Master of the Universe. They themselves would benefit tremendously by engaging in shirah<\/i> and building up their personal faith in Hashem. Hashem did not want to deprive the B\u2019nai Yisrael<\/i> of this enormous benefit, and so He readily accepted their adulation.<\/p>\n\n