And the Lord said to Abram

And the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Thus began Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, and our thirst for sovereignty. We were sidetracked by our sojourn in Egypt. Redemption began anew, in last week’s Parashah, Bo. This week in B’shalach we arrive at a great obstacle in our effort to return to Israel; our need to cross the Red Sea (or the Reed Sea, as our recent scholars have taught us.)

We were protected, as well as led to the shore, by a pillar of fire and clouds. Moses stood at the shores of the sea, stretched out his arm, and the waters parted. The rabbis identify another human figure in the story, a character who does not appear in the text itself, but who is mentioned in the Midrash. This is Nachshon ben Aminadav, a leader of the tribe of Judah. According to the Midrash, Nachshon walks into the sea up to his nostrils before it recedes. He is a leader, a man of action, a chalutz (pioneer) ready, willing and able to take Jewish destiny into Jewish hands. Nachshon is a leader from the people. Often we need one of the people, a peer, someone closer to us, to lead us into the unknown. Nachson exemplified the one who took the chance, who complemented the more dramatic leadership of Moses with action that made the difference and ultimately led to all the people walking through the sea.
A more modern “Operation Nachshon (Na'hshon April 3-8, 1948)” was a military operation of the Haganah in the Israel War of Independence. The operation involved about 1,500 troops taken from the Givati and Alexandroni brigade and some others, including Gadna youth cadets. The objective of the operation was to clear the road to Jerusalem of enemy-occupied strong points from the vicinity of Ramleh and particularly from Bab El Wad to the Qastel. Although initially successful in the end the operation failed when the roads were blocked which led to the building of the Burma Road to liberate Jerusalem.
A “nachson” of our generation has left us. Debbie Friedman, my friend since our youth, led us with her heart, expressed through her music. She shared her soul on all things Jewish. In Lechi Lach, she gave us a modern way to sing our Zionism.

Lechi lach to a land that I will show you
Lech li-cha to a place you do not know
Lechi lach on your journey I will bless you
And you shall be a blessing, you shall be a blessing
You shall be a blessing lechi lach

Hear Debbie teach us all Zionism as she sings.
Today, Israel is physically well established. Her army is strong and her economy is thriving. The Jewish nature of the state, however, is yet unsecured and our Zionism continues. We are committed, as Reform Jews, to continuing our efforts to build an inclusive, democratic Israeli society for all Jews and all Israelis. We, American and Israeli Reform Jews together and in partnership, must be like Nachshon. Whatever lies ahead of us, we must continue to walk forward knowing that our course is clear, our cause is correct, and that our actions are for the common good of all Jews. Our Zionism now is to participate in the building of a healthy spiritual Israel. Our Zionism is one of action. Be a Nachson.

Rabbi Daniel R. Allen, Executive Director of ARZA, has served as the CEO of the American Friends of Magen David Adom and the United Israel Appeal. Allen is considered a leading expert on Israel and American Jewish Philanthropy.