Nachshon ben Aminadav: The Man Who Jumped First

In a moment that would define Jewish courage and faith, one man stepped forward while the nation stood still. Nachshon ben Aminadav, prince of the tribe of Yehudah, was the first to leap into the Red Sea and the sea split for everyone else. His boldness not only changed history but earned his descendants the eternal crown of Israel.

A Prince of Yehudah and Brother-in-Law to Aharon

Nachshon was the fifth-generation descendant of Yehudah, the son of Yaakov, and served as the tribal leader of Yehudah during the Exodus. He was also the brother of Elisheva, the wife of Aharon HaKohen (Aaron the High Priest), as it says: “Aharon took Elisheva, daughter of Aminadav, sister of Nachshon, as his wife” (Shemot 6:23).

This connection made Nachshon part of a remarkable spiritual dynasty that was tied to leadership, priesthood, and royalty.

The First to Enter the Sea

As the Israelites stood at the edge of the Red Sea, trapped between the waters and Pharaoh’s advancing army, Moshe prayed for Divine salvation. Hashem responded: “Why do you cry out to Me? Speak to the Children of Israel, and let them move forward” (Shemot 14:15).

Hashem wanted the people to show their trust in His salvation, not through words, but through action.

Nachshon didn’t wait. He walked into the sea—step after step—until the waters reached his neck. At that moment, the sea split. The Talmud (Sotah 37a) records that Nachshon’s selfless act of faith led the way for the entire nation. His name, Nachshon, is linked to the word nachshol (wave or surf), because he was the first to descend into the surging sea.

Rewarded for Sanctifying Hashem’s Name

A year later, on the first of Nissan, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was inaugurated. The princes of the tribes brought special offerings, but only one was chosen to go first. The Midrash teaches that Hashem said to Moshe: “The one who sanctified My name at the sea, he shall offer first.” That man was Nachshon (Bamidbar Rabbah, Naso 13).

In reward for his courage and trust, Nachshon was granted a spiritual legacy: the monarchy would come from his tribe, Yehudah, and the Mashiach (Messiah) would descend from his lineage.

A Legacy of Leadership and Spirit

Nachshon ben Aminadav was also chosen as one of the seventy elders upon whom Moshe’s spirit was bestowed (Yalkut Shimoni, Bamidbar 776). He was not only a tribal leader, but also a spiritual role model who was courageous, faithful, and ready to act when others hesitated.

Nachshon’s greatness wasn’t in grand speeches or military might. It was in one decisive step into the unknown. His story teaches that true leadership begins with faith in action. By walking into the sea, Nachshon opened the path to freedom, kingship, and redemption, for his generation and for all generations to come.