In this week's Torah portion, we read about the crossing of the Sea of Reeds. After the the drowning of the Egyptian pursuers, Moses and Miriam led the people in song and dance. In Moses' song (Ex 15:11), he sings, "Mi chamocha ba-eilim Adonai? Mi kamocha nedar bakodesh?" (Who is like You, among the other gods, G!d? Who is like You, majestic in holiness?).
The rabbis notice that there is a change in the language between these two exclamations, first 'chamocha' and then 'kamocha.' The difference between the two are a dagesh or small dot in then hebrew letter kaf. This could not possibly be due to scribal error or a bit of schmutz on the scroll. Instead, the rabbis relate a story: When we arrived at the Sea of Reeds, we were stuck. In front of us was the roaring ocean. Behind us was the Egyptian army. Moses was off in prayer frozen by indecision. Suddenly a leader of the tribe of Judah, Nachshon Ben Aminadav, began to walk into the water. The water reached his legs, then his chest and then his neck. Not knowing how to swim, Nachshon continued forward having faith that G!d would save him and the Jewish people. As he walked, he recited the words ",mi chamocha ba-eilim Adonai." When the water reached his mouth, he sputtered out the words "mi kamocha nedar bakodesh." At that exact moment, the sea parted and the Israelites were able to march across in safety. The word 'kamocha' is pronounced to this day with a 'k' to commemorate his bravery as he choked out the words. Many see this story as inspiration to be dedicated to one's journey and service of G!d. It was Nachshon's willingness to put himself on the line that saved him and the entire Jewish people.
The rabbis of the Midrash relate another version of this story. There was not just one Nachshon and one crossing of the sea, but each and every family unit marched into the water separately. In this version, there were 600,000 partings of the sea, one for each family. This version of the story reminds us that bravery and risk can not always be delegated to others. Instead, each of us, in our own lives and our own ways needs to take responsibility for our lives, our people, and our world. We all need to be little Nachshons and to face our deepest fears and our destiny.