The Three Songs of the Month of Shvat

It is fitting that the month of Shvat be called “the month of song,” for several great songs are associated with it.

The First Song — The Song of the Trees

The trees have just emerged from the barrenness of winter. They don garments of fresh, vibrant green leaves, and their renewal is like a song to the Creator. The almond tree, which blossoms early and heralds the changing of the season, adds its own beautiful melody through its delicate flowers — joined by the rest of the trees as nature awakens.

The Second Song — The Song of the People of Israel

In Parashat Beshalach, we read of the great song sung by the People of Israel as they stood upon the shores of the Red Sea — overwhelmed and awestruck by the miraculous event that forever changed the course of history.

Before them stood the mighty Egyptian army — six hundred elite chariots and countless troops, while they themselves were a nation of former slaves, newly freed, burdened with women, children, and belongings, with no military power and nowhere to turn. The sea was before them, the Egyptian army behind them, and the wilderness gave no comfort. The situation seemed hopeless.

Then God lifted the veil of nature and split the sea. The Israelites crossed on dry land, entering the sea and emerging safely on the other side. The Egyptians, assuming this was a natural phenomenon such as a tide, rushed in after them — but the waters that had stood firm for Israel collapsed upon the Egyptian forces, and none remained but Pharaoh himself.

In response, Moshe and the Children of Israel sang: “Then Moses and the Children of Israel sang this song to God…”

Their song expressed both the greatness and might of the Creator, and the nation’s deep commitment to live in His commandments. Our Sages established this song as part of the daily morning prayers.

The Third Song — The Song of the Birds

Also in Parashat Beshalach, we encounter another expression of song — this time, through the birds.

When the Israelites cried out for food, God provided them with the heavenly bread known as manna. They were instructed to collect only what they needed for each day, and not to leave any over for the next morning — for anything left would spoil and breed worms. Only on Friday were they to gather a double portion, as no manna would fall on Shabbat.

However, the well-known agitators Datan and Aviram sought to undermine Moshe. They scattered leftover manna at night, intending that people would find it in the morning and claim that Moshe had spoken falsely.

But there is no wisdom or counsel against God. He sent a flock of birds that came during the night and ate all the manna that had been scattered. When Datan and Aviram went out in the morning, they found nothing — their plan had been foiled.

And thus arose the third song — the song of the birds — testifying that all of creation joins in fulfilling the will of the Creator: “I will sing to the Lord all my life…”