Why do we recite Az Yashir in Pesukei d’Zimrah? The introductory bracha of Baruch Sh’Amar reads, “and with the songs of Dovid Your servant we will extol You.” Yet Az Yashir, which commemorates the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from the Egyptian army when the waters parted at the Sea of Reeds, obviously predates Dovid HaMelech by many centuries!
Obviously, the song of Moshe – Az Yashir – did not originally form part of Pesukei d’Zimrah. Rambam writes, “There are localities where it is customary every day to read the song of Moshe after the bracha of Yishtabach.” Again, we are faced with the question of its incorporation into Pesukei d’Zimrah.
Nefesh HaRav adds, “The Song of the Sea, however, was obviously not composed by Dovid HaMelech. Our practice, though, is nonetheless to recite this song before Yishtabach, considering it an extension of the praises of Pesukei d’Zimrah.”
The answer may lie in the unique status of Az Yashir as a song of praise for the first redemption of the Jewish people – reflecting the traumatic experiences faced by our ancestors – and its exceptional ability to inspire us to the present day.
Sefer HaManhig notes, “This song is recited throughout all the localities inhabited by Jews. It would be wrong to omit this prayer, to fail to render praise for the first redemption, for it says (Devorim 16:3): 'So that you remember the exodus from Egypt all the days of your life.'”
Chida quotes Rav Yitzchak Luria, saying, “Our ancestors were overcome by the traumatic events leading to their miraculous deliverance at Yam Suf and they succumbed and died. Hashem thereupon broadcast to them the sweet songs and praises offered to Him by His ministering angels and the people were revived.“
In My Prayer, Rabbi Nissan Mindel comments: “The saintly Shaloh and other authorities pointed out that the shirah should be said standing, and with joy, as if we ourselves were standing at the shore of Yam Suf and singing it with Moshe Rabbenu. In the holy Zohar, the importance of saying the shirah with kavanah is especially emphasized.”
The Mishnah Berurah states, “One should recite the Song of the Sea with joy, and should imagine to oneself that they crossed the sea that day. If one says it with joy, their sins will be pardoned.”
It is perhaps due to the multifaceted nature of Az Yashir that an exception was made to include this song in Pesukei d’Zimrah. |