lead of his choicest cavalry and war-chariots, in hot pursuit of his former slaves. He reached them near the banks of the Red Sea and pressed them close to the water, in an effort to cut off their escape. Moshe led the Israelites onwards until they came to the very borders of the Red Sea. The pillar of cloud now changed its position, retreating from the front to the rear of the Hebrews, floating between the two armies. Then God spoke to Moshe: "Lift up your rod, stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it; and the children shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground." Moshe did as God ordered and a strong east wind rose and blew all night and the waters of the Red Sea were divided and gathered into a wall on either side, leaving a dry passage in the midst. The Israelites marched at once along the dry path, which extended from shore to shore and reached the opposite side in safety. The Egyptians continued their pursuit, but Moshe stretched forth his staff and the waters resumed their usual course, closing over the whole army of Pharaoh. Thus, God saved the children of Israel from the Egyptians and Israel saw His great power; they recognized God and believed in Him and in His servant Moshe -- the first redeemer of Israel. This is the story of Passover -- or Pesach -- which recounts the birth of the Jewish people as a nation -- a nation called by God "a beloved treasure" -- whose ultimate goal is to be a "light unto the nations." This will become evident in the immediate future when Moshiach -- the final redeemer -- gathers us together from throughout the world and brings us to the promised land of Israel, "and all the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea."...
