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This Shabbos is called the “Shabbos of Song” because in this week’s Torah portion, we learn about the great miracle of the splitting of the sea and how the Jewish people sand a beautiful song of praise to G-d. The Torah tells us that afterwards “Miriam, the Prophetess took her drum in her hand and all the women went forth after her with drums and with dances”.
The commentaries discuss why did only the women sing with instruments? They explain that the women felt the pain of the Egyptian Exile even more than the men and therefore their joy over the redemption was greater than the man and therefore they prepared instruments before they left Egypt, to celebrate with singing and instruments. This is also seen in the meaning of the name of Miriam who led the women in singing. The word Miriam means bitter, which show us that she felt the bitterness of the exile to the extent that it was her name.
Our sages teach us that the Jewish people sand to G-d nine times and the tenth and greatest son will be with the coming of Moshiach. The rebbe taught that we should begin the joy and singing now and this will usher in the song and joy of Moshiach.
