Thought of the Week: Beshalach - 5777

WHAT IS ZEMER?

In the second verse of the Song by the Sea, the nation praised Hashem by stating that He is "OZI VEZIMRAT."

Some commentators understand the second word to mean that Hashem is my song (Like a Zemer).  Rashi, on the other hand, explains that ZIMRAT refers to vengeance, since the word ZEMER, which is pruning, is a form of cutting.

When branches, buds, or roots are removed from a plant, it is for the yield and quality of the remaining plant.

Pharaoh's chariots and army thrown into the sea can be viewed, as well, as an act of pruning, since Hashem eliminated the evil-doers, for the nation of Israel to survive and flourish, and fulfill its mission as a light upon the nations.