Shuge Pillars

The Haftorah of Parshas Beshalach is Shiras Devorah, even though the Shirah on the Parsha is the shira of a man, Moshe Rabbeinu, and the Haftorah could have been Shiras Dovid, a song by a man (not Devorah, a woman). The reason Shiras Devorah is used is that the women in Mitzrayim had a harder time than the men, because they had the responsibility of raising their children - the whole Jewish nation. In spite of their harder job, their success is seen. It is in the fact that Yidden never changed three important things: their style of clothing, their names, and their language. Why was this such a great accomplishment? Because there three things are absolutely vital to the survival of true Yiddishkeit.

1) They didn't change their aidele clothes for the latest styles, because Yiddishe clothing style is aidel, and aidel NEVER changes. They didn't change their style of dress even when it was popular, even when it was more comfortable, even when it was better quality, and even when it was cheaper - Yidden wear aidele clothing!

2) They never changed their language. Obviously this doesn't mean that they didn't speak Egyptian, b/c they probably did, in order to get by in a store, ordering at restaurants, etc. Not changing their language means that they didnt change their adiel way of speaking, they didn't pick up the slang or the rude way that the goyim were speaking: nivul peh, swearing, "coolness," etc.

3)They didn't change their names - they had Yiddishe names, given to them by their parents, and they kept them, without looking for "hip" nicknames, etc.

That's lesson number 1.

Lesson umber two: what did the women sing with Miriam after crossing the yam suf? "Ashira LaHashem Ki Ga'oh Ga'ah, sus verochvo ramah vayam." I will sing to Hashem, Who is exalted and high, the horse and rider are thrown into the sea. They sang in praise and excitement that they were able to raise a generation of children that knew the difference, that knew what's important and what's not. LaHashem - Ga'oh ga'ah, that which is holy and for Yiddishkeit is very important, and that which is "horses and riders" - things that are not crucial to Yiddishkeit, are not importnant. For example food: "What's for supper?" "What's it made of?" They made their children to know that it's not important. Clothing: Which store? Which brand name? Not important! Those children are healthy children.