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אאָ֣ז יָשִֽׁיר־משֶׁה֩ וּבְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶת־הַשִּׁירָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אָשִׁ֤ירָה לַּֽיהֹוָה֙ כִּֽי־גָאֹ֣ה גָּאָ֔ה ס֥וּס וְרֹֽכְב֖וֹ רָמָ֥ה בַיָּֽם:

Imagine the following: a nation that was spiritually and physically repressed for over two hundred and ten years. People felt suffocated to the point where creating a family was burdensome. This was the journey that Bnei Yisrael underwent. Finally, once they gain the ability to taste freedom, Bnei Yisrael are forced to deal with the Egyptians and threat of returning into slavery. Kriyat Yam suf is a story of faith, and an intense testimonial of the power that music holds.

In modern times people use music as an escape and medium to channel their emotions. Az Yashir is the original example of singing and acting as a coping mechanism and good form of releasing energy. Bnei Yisrael handled their past  traumas through positivity and singing to God. One can learn a greater lesson about humanity from their prayers. Being Jewish is not only fulfilled by rituals and routine. Rather, it is within human nature to express happiness through the arts. People find many different ways to connect to god. It is awe inspiring to know that this religion supports dance and musical expression.

Parsha Beshalach also demonstrates that music can be used as a method of atonement. In Shemot, Moshe cried out to god when Bnei Yisrael had to find straw to create their own bricks. His declaration begins with the word “U-mei’az bati el Pharaoh…”. Moshe was attacking god and faulting him for Pharaoh making another evil decree. Moshe’s repentance acts as a foil to shemot because he chooses to celebrate god with the word “az”. Music shifts Moshe’s state of mind to the point where he becomes positive and can correct his actions.

Everyone has multiple unique factors about themselves. Beshalach teaches us to enhance our positivity. When an individual or group makes the choice to celebrate with art (or anything they love) it has the ability to break boundaries. In this week's case the faith of Bnei Yisrael is what helps them walk through the Red Sea.