RAV KOOK ON Beshalach Part 1: Innate and Acquired Holiness

Crossing the Jordan River On the banks of the Red Sea, with Egyptian slavery behind them, the Israelites triumphantly sang Shirat HaYam. This beautiful ‘Song of the Sea’ concludes with a vision of a future crossing into freedom and independence — across the Jordan River, to enter the Land of Israel. “Until Your people have crossed, O God; until the people that You acquired have crossed over.” (Ex. 15:16) Why the repetition — “until Your people have crossed", “until the people... have crossed over"? The Talmud (Berachot 4a) explains that the Jewish people crossed the Jordan River twice. The first crossing occurred in the time of Joshua, as the Israelites conquered the Land of Israel from the Canaanite nations. This event marked the beginning of the First Temple period. The second crossing took place centuries later, when Ezra led the return from Babylonian exile, inaugurating the Second Temple period. The verse refers to both crossings. In what way does each phrase relate to its specific historical context?