עברית
Parashat Beshalach
7 Fascinating Insights from the Splitting of the Red Sea
Little-known teachings from our sages on the Exodus, Pharaoh, Amalek, and divine judgment
(Photo: shutterstock)1. Were there Jews who managed to leave Egypt before the Exodus?
Yes. Three hundred thousand people from the tribe of Ephraim left Egypt thirty years early and were killed by the Philistines. (Yalkut HaMakiri on Psalm 78; Sanhedrin 92b)
2. “And Pharaoh drew near” — why does the verse not say “Pharaoh approached”?
Pharaoh brought calamity closer upon himself. Another explanation is that Pharaoh brought Israel closer to repentance and to their Father in Heaven. (Both explanations are cited by Rabbeinu Bachya)
3. “Why do you cry out to Me?” — what did God hint to Moshe with the word “why” (mah)?
You are destined to cry out to Me for forty (mem) days on Mount Sinai, where you will pray on behalf of Israel.
You are destined to utter a prayer of five (heh) words for your sister Miriam: “Please God, heal her, please.”
For there is a time to shorten and a time to lengthen prayer, but now is not a time for prayer at all. Rather, speak to the Children of Israel and let them journey forward. (Baal HaTurim)
4. “And the angel of God traveled” (Shemot 14:19)
The name Elokim is associated with judgment. Why did an angel of judgment appear at the splitting of the Red Sea rather than an angel of mercy?
At that moment, Israel themselves were being judged. In Heaven, their fate was examined — whether they would be saved or, God forbid, perish together with the Egyptians. (Mechilta, Beshalach)
5. “And the Lord shook the Egyptians within the sea” (Shemot 14:27)
Why was it necessary for God to “shake” the Egyptians in the sea?
Because some people are skilled swimmers, and even when the sea is at its most powerful, they might find ways to survive. Therefore the verse says “He shook them,” meaning that God nullified their ability to swim by violently tossing them. (Or HaChaim)
6. “The flowing waters stood upright like a wall” (Shemot 15:8)
One of the miracles of the splitting of the Red Sea was that there were partitions between the tribes. These partitions were clear like white glass, so that the tribes could see one another and not fear that only their own tribe had been saved. (Rabbeinu Yonah in his commentary on Pirkei Avot 5:4)
7. In the war against Amalek, Moshe tells Yehoshua: “Choose men for us” (Shemot 17:9).
What was special about the men Yehoshua chose?
All of them were born in Adar II. Therefore, they had no reason to fear sorcery. Every month of the year is governed by a constellation, but Adar II stands above the constellations. Moshe therefore instructed Yehoshua to choose men who were above astrological influence, as Amalek practiced sorcery and could only influence the twelve zodiac signs. (Chizkuni)
