Powerful cascading waters of turquoise split down the middle. The Jews step forth braving the fresh mud on the seafloor. The experience is wonderous, breathtaking, a miracle unlike any other. With shining eyes they emerge on the other side, Miriam, brandishing her tambourine leads the women in line where they break out in joyous song. This story makes me feel connected. It's a link in my history that binds me on a cellular level- you see, I would be that woman (maybe the purple one?) delighted, raising my voice in prayer and praise for the thing I've been longing for has come to fruition. Sometimes, in the religious world, so many natural and beautiful things are treated perversely. But here we have it- holy women raising their voices. Dancing feet kicking in the hot white sand- faithful, holy, and would you BELIEVE IT *gasp* WITHOUT A MECHITZA?!?!