In the beginning of Parshat Beshalach (Shmot 13:17), Pharaoh finally allowed B’nai Yisrael to leave Egypt. Shortly after they left, Pharaoh changed his mind and began to chase after them.

In Shmot 14:10-11 we read: “And then Pharaoh drew near and B’nai Yisrael lifted up their eyes and behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and B’nai Yisrael were very much afraid and they cried out to God. They said to Moshe, were there no graves in Egypt that you had to take us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt this way with us, to carry us out of Egypt?”

Ramban finds it difficult that the people were crying out to God for help, yet at the same time were protesting against deliverance.

Ramban explains that there were conflicting groups, some were crying out to God for help while others denied the deliverance. There were those who saw the glass half empty and those who saw the glass half full.

Moshe responded positively: 14:13: “Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of God”.

God then split the sea and the Jewish people were able to safely get across while the Egyptians were drowned. At that point the Torah says 14:31: “And Yisrael saw the great work which God did to Egypt and the people feared God and believed in God and his servant Moshe”. At that point everyone was positive and the whole nation sang “Az Yashir”, “The Song of the Sea” thanking God for their deliverance.

Unfortunately, instead of remembering all of the miracles that God performed for them, throughout the Parsha we find more pessimists complaining that they are afraid that they will have no water, no food and no meat. Each time God comes through for them and provides for all of their needs.

The ball is in our court to live our lives as optimists, always looking for the good or as pessimists, always looking for something to complain about. Each of us has the choice to view the glass as being half empty or half full.