תלמוד בבלי מסכת סנהדרין דף לט עמוד ב
באותה שעה בקשו מלאכי השרת לומר שירה לפני הקדוש ברוך הוא, אמר להן הקדוש ברוך הוא: מעשה ידי טובעין
בים ואתם אומרים שירה לפני?
In that hour the ministering angels wished to utter the song [of praise] before God, but God rebuked them, saying: My handiwork [the Egyptians] is drowning in the sea; would you utter song before me! [Translation by Uri L’Tzedek. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. This text describes a scene immediately after the Israelites successfully crossed the Red Sea which then enveloped and drowned the Egyptians who were chasing after them. Why would the angels be inclined to sing at this moment?
2. Why did God rebuke the angels?
3. What does this text teach us about the value of human life and how we approach the other?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)