Question: I read a quote in a book that ran something like this, “The work of my hands is being drowned in the sea, and you want to sing songs?!” This quote was attributed simply to the Talmud without further information. I have since been able to connect it with a 3rd century Rabbi named Yochanan but little else. Could you please tell me more about this quote? Where did it come from? When was it written? 

Answer: You are referring to a Midrash (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 39b) that says that after Israel had crossed the Red Sea and saw the slain Egyptians washed onto the shore they sang the song that you will find in Exodus. The angels also wished to join in the song but Gd did not allow it saying that it was not appropriate for the angels to sing upon the destruction of Gd’s creation. The Jews who were saved from death by the miracle of the splitting sea were entitled to sing to celebrate their escape even though it was necessary for Gd to destroy the Egyptians. The angels did not personally benefit and, therefore, it was not right for them to sing songs of praise in the midst of the destruction.