This week, we get to the miraculous splitting of the Red Sea — a miracle that took place as the Children of Israel were presented with a very difficult situation. The waters raged in front of them; their Egyptian oppressors were bearing down on them from behind. To everyone's amazement, the sea suddenly split before their eyes. While the people crossed over, the normally flowing waters stood still like a wall of protection for the nation of Israel.

Why did the Jews deserve to be saved in such an awesome manner?

The Sages tell us that it was because of the children. The Talmud records that the children who went out of Egypt were the first to recognize G‑d.1 This is a puzzling statement. After all, together with the nation that left Egypt were the great spiritual giants: Moses, Joshua and all the elders of Israel. Yet they were not the first ones to recognize G‑d; it was specifically the children — children born and raised in the midst of Egyptian oppression. Nevertheless, they received a fitting and proper education, resulting in their being first to recognize G‑d. The Torah even hints that they were able to point with their finger, saying, "This is my G‑d, and I will glorify Him."2

The children who went out of Egypt were the first to recognize G‑d

Education and Guidance

With the splitting of the Red Sea, a special occurrence happened. Not only was the obstacle removed, it was transformed into a wall of protection for the Jewish people, as the verse states: "And the waters were for them a wall to their right and to their left."3

This tremendous event of transformation was also due to the children. When a child knows that the only true existence is one of holiness, he or she can feel in a very sincere, simplistic, and natural way that nothing is able to interfere with, and disrupt, the pursuit of fulfilling the will of G‑d.

Thus, in effect, there are no obstacles.

Not only during the Exodus from Egypt was the Jewish nation in need of a supernatural event. In every generation, we are constantly in need of miracles; as the sages tell us, the Jewish people are compared to a "lamb amongst 70 wolves."4

The whole foundation of our existence is in essence supernatural, a type of constant, ongoing miracle. The key to meriting this conduit with the Creator, ensuring the survival of the Jewish nation, is proper Jewish education for our children. We must give them correct guidance in the study of all aspects of Torah, in a way that encourages and inspires them to observe and absorb the holy heritage of the Jewish people. And the goal is to accomplish this not in a distant meaningless fashion, but in a way that translates into their daily lives.

The lesson from all this is that if one wishes to be truly blessed, both materially and spiritually, including nachat from our children and grandchildren, then the way to that is through engaging our children in true Torah education. The goal is to produce a life and vitality in Judaism not only when they go to synagogue, but constantly. We must imbue our youth with such an appreciation for G‑dliness that they will be able to point and cry out, "This is my G‑d, and I will glorify Him."

We must give them correct guidance in the study of Torah, in a way that encourages and inspires them

Such a foundation will be able to split any sea and transform any obstacle on the path toward G‑dly pursuits.