Parshas Beshalach: Pre-Born Babies Sing Praises to God!

Parshas Beshalach Shemot (Exodus) 13:17-17:16 dramatizes the miracles that make Operation Freedom From Bondage successful. These supernatural events include the protective, guiding cloud and light from Heaven, the splitting of the Red Sea, the demise of the entire Egyptian fighting force, the sustenance of meat, bread and water during the trek to Mt. Sinai, and the victory over the Amalekites. 

A great chorus of praise and thanksgiving to God for His help rises up from the mixed multitude when they reach dry land after the walls of water close in to drown their pursuers. Our sages write that even the babies in their mothers’ wombs uttered a song! 

https://www.sefaria.org/Sotah.31a.2?lang=bi

or 

https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.50a.12?

Once upon a time great rabbis, whose minds were infused with the presence of the Almighty, knew and publicly declared that babies in the womb were alive, sentient, and aware.  A minority of brave rabbis and Jewish women and men today understand and voice this viewpoint. We are honored to know them. We eagerly anticipate the renewal of this knowledge throughout modern Jewish culture and the global human family, as well. Intellectually curious, modern biological inquiry has yet to achieve this understanding, but it will someday if free from agenda driven scientific control..

In addition to proclaiming that pre-born babies feel and express gratitude, this Torah portion also admonishes the angels who celebrate the Egyptian fighters drowning in the turbulent waters. God rebukes them, “My handiwork is drowning in the sea, and you wish to sing before Me?!”

(Talmud, Sanhedrin 39)

https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/32113?lang=bi

Our Creator celebrates life and human flourishing, as do we. Our Creator also regrets every human life destroyed, whether that destruction occurs in the defense of innocent human life or in the deliberate killing of a pre-born baby. We concur.

Cecily Routman

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and good life upon us and upon all Israel. Amen.