Parshat First Shabbat of Pesach

The Torah portion is First Shabbat of Pesach, Exodus 13:17-15:26.

This parshah tells of the Children of Israel leaving Egypt, chased by Pharaoh's horsemen and chariots to the Sea of Reeds. The Sea split, the Children of Israel passed through safely and the sea fell back on the Egyptians pursuing them. Moses led the People in the Song of the Sea, on of the ten Songs of tradition. Miriam led the women in a shorter song.

The maftir portion (the final piece of the Torah reading) is Numbers 28:19-25. This passage speaks of the offerings made for Pesach and the fact that the seventh day (seventh and eight outside of Israel in modern times) is a non-working holiday..

The haftarah is II Samuel 22:1-51. This is the Song of David, another of the ten Songs of tradition, expressing joy and thanks for the rescue of future King David from then King Saul.