Moshe, will sing!!

Why were the words of the song that Moshe Rabbenu sang in the future tense: "Moshe will sing - Az Yashir Moshe" and not in the present tense? 

But I will ask you another question: why did Moshe wait to sing the song? Why didn’t he sing it when they left the borders of Egypt? Why wait till they crossed the sea?

As it says in Sanhedrin 94A, where's the song from Chizkiyahu HaMelech when, on the night of Pesach, Hashem killed 185,000 soldiers of Sanheriv? But when Hashem cured Chizkiyahu HaMelech, he sang. Since Chizkiyahu HaMelech didn’t sing the song when there was a national miracle, he lost his opportunity to become a Moshiach.

Moshe Rabbenu didn’t sing when they crossed the border of Egypt, but he did once they had crossed the sea. By the time they crossed the sea, he had realized that he had made a mistake; that’s why the words of the song - as if he had prophesied - "Moshe will sing" - a reincarnation of Moshe - Mashiach will sing at the time of Geulah, thus fixing what Moshe Rabbenu had missed.

Below are some more thoughts out loud:

By missing this opportunity, Moshe wasn’t punished right away, but he was as if "marked for more tests in the future - TBD - to be determined". Read my essay about 'Hitting the Rock' - Moshe knew he had made a mistake by not singing the song on time. He was given another chance when he hit the rock, but by then, he was already a seasoned leader who had been fighting in the spiritual realm, teaching and ruling the nation for years. That’s why the hitting of the rock came out as it did due to his calculation as a leader -- for the benefit of the nation, but not as Hashem had planned. Hashem has honored his decision. But these two events have worked against him: he was not allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael and had to stay behind with the nation in the desert.

So, how important is singing in the service of Hashem?

It’s Very...Very Important!!


Part 2: I can't let you go without expanding on this idea. So, for a second, imagine the following scenario. 

In Parashat Beshalakh 13:17 says: "Vayhi Beshalakh... - As it happened, when Pharaoh let the people go, G-d did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although it was nearer."

We were led by G-d towards the land of the Philistines, because it was near. Vayhi - As it happened, what happened? The fact that Moshe Rabbenu did not sing or the absence of the song - happened, this made G-d reroute the nation through the sea, send Amalek, and us having problems until today from the people that are living in that patch of land.

Honestly, this long route we have been walking on is called Galut, and it feels like it drags on forever. 

Let me explain.

What would have happened if Moshe Rabbenu had sung the song of Gratitude upon leaving the land of Egypt?

I believe that the miracles of delivering the ten plaques and devastating ancient Egypt, and later crossing the border that had been guarded for 210 years by the dark forces, are achievements in themselves that requires its own celebration. That's why Hashem expected a song from the Nation. This would have been a HaKarat HaTov or Moment of Gratitude. 

At that moment, this action would have been a valuable lesson, an example for the Nation and the world by the top human authority chosen by G-d. Moshe Rabbenu missed that opportunity. Since the miracles that would be performed in the land of Philistines, amongst a hostile nation, would make our Nation and the world believe in Moshe and G-d Almighty forever and with no doubt, and would have solidified and glorified G-d's authority and the nation's position as G-d's chosen. 

But until then, gentlemen, let's chant as well... Free.. Free The minor Moshe. So we, today, can take a turn singing the song for real this time. We've been practicing this song every day for more than 2,500 years... And Hashem, believe me, we know the words by heart.

Hashem, the time has come for You to let it happen. We're ready whenever You are. 

Shmuel Katanov
April 3, 2025