In our hearts and minds this week is the Shira of Shiras Devorah. The week began with a Shiras Devorah punctuated by grief and sobs. As the week progressed, through breaks in the tears, we marveled at the life of a very special person and the Shiras Devorah we heard left us speechless.

Concurrently, another tune to Shiras Devorah emerged. A melody of chessed and caring. A virtual symphony of feeling the tzar of another Yid, empathy and Kiddush HaShem. And once again, this strain of Shiras Devorah left us speechless.

Unbeknownst to many though, there is yet another niggun for our Shiras Devorah. A niggun that is just as beautiful and inspiring. A masterful rendition that absolutely cannot be missed.

In this week’s Parsha, Rashi teaches us that the Mitzreyim merited burial because they said “HaShem is right and just and we are wrong.” At first glance Rashi seems difficult. What correlation is there between the deed and the reward? Why is interment the logical outcome for admitting the justice of HaShem?

Upon contemplation though, the symmetry becomes obvious. When one says “I am wrong and you are right” he is effectively burying himself. Our thoughts and ideas form the core of our identity. We passionately defend our opinions, just as we single-mindedly protect our physical selves. Negating one’s view in favor of another’s is a termination of self, much the same as entombment signifies corporal cessation. It is therefore profoundly simple that by virtue of saying “HaShem is just and right” and pronouncing their notions inconsequential that they merited kevura.

In truth though, the zechus goes even further. Chazal tell us that the Egyptians died at sea and were miraculously tossed from the sea onto the land, where they were swallowed up by the land and buried. Accordingly we learn that the zechus of “HaShem HaTzadik” secures kevura even in a miraculous fashion, from the depths of the sea.

We see the world and form opinions and ideas. We see people who were moiser nefesh to embrace Torah and Yiddishkeit and we think they should live happily ever after. Loftier people bury their thoughts and outlooks and believe that even if life doesn’t conform to our idea of fair, HaShem is just. We think that it’s not right to experience severe difficulties. Loftier people are able to tell their daughter suffering from degenerative leg disease, “Life isn’t fair, but HaShem is just.” In our view a father should never experience the funeral of his child. A lofty father stands at his daughter’s levaya and proclaims to all “Life isn’t fair, but HaShem is just.”

This niggun of Shiras Devorah, a pure melody of emunah and bitachon, is so overwhelming and encapsulating that it overcomes our senses and once again we are rendered speechless.

Then we contemplate……….

A car submerged in water, completely not visible from the surface, is discovered in short order. Is that not a neis?

The incredible search efforts and massive Kiddush HaShem accompanying the kevura of Devorah. Was that not miraculous?

An unknown girl being laid to rest in a plot next to a Godol BeYisroel. A plot which had been kept empty for years because who could be worthy of such an auspicious spot. Is that not a miraculous kevura?

To know a family that has woven “HaShem HaTzadik” into the fabric of their home. To have known a girl who embodied and lived that elevated outlook. And then to see the words of Rashi come to life, and witness a miraculous kevura emerging from beneath the water – is to hear a final overpowering rendition of Shiras Devorah which leaves us awed, inspired and speechless.

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