There is a military concept, sometimes attributed to ancient military strategist Sun Tzu’s book, The Art of War, that is based on different types of fighting ground, from “open ground” to “desparate”. Today, that most desperate situation that people can find themselves in, a fight from which no escape seems possible, “backs to the wall,” or a literal fight for survival, is often called “Death Ground” by military strategists.

But one of the most ancient descriptions of such a seemingly hopeless situation comes from this week’s Torah portion, “Beshalach,” and precedes what might be the “Biggest Miracle” — in terms of scope and later fame — in all of Scripture, the “parting of the Red Sea” (ok, well, probably really the “Sea of Reeds”).

Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship a two-part study of this first part of the long journey from bondage to freedom.

Mark sets out the overview in the Erev Shabbat teaching, which includes a WHOLE of elements that are fundamental to SO much of the Torah, along with what seems to be a setup for some potential contradictions:

The Sabbath day teaching takes on those apparent “contradictions” head-on.

“B’shalach: What is often OVERLOOKED about the ‘Crossing of the Red Sea, and LIFE Ground!”

The combined two-part teaching is here: