CHASSIDIC PEARLS BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS BESHALACH

"Why do you cry out to Me?" (Shemot 14:15) The apparent meaning of the above passage is that Hashem is telling Moshe (Moses) that this is not a time for prayer, but a time for action and dedication. In other words, it's the time to plunge into the Red Sea. On a deeper level, Hashem is teaching an additional lesson to Moshe and the Children of Israel: It's as if Hashem is saying, "You don't need to cry out to Me within earshot of others; a silent scream from the depths of your heart is enough!" Rav Shalom Arush, shlit'a, warns that although one must scream out to Hashem in personal prayer, his or her voice should not be heard by anyone else. When the silent scream is devoid of vanity and externality, it is solely for Hashem. Such prayers ascend immediately, and avoid obstruction from evil elements. If during hitbodedut in the field a person shouts like a wild animal and the voice is heard by others, it creates a defamation of Hashem's Name, Heaven forbid, and is lost to the kelipot, the elements of evil.