The Night of Miracles: Hidden Meanings in the Exodus Story

“‘It is a night of guarding for the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; this is that night for the Lord, a night of guarding for all the children of Israel throughout their generations’” (Exodus 12:42).

The Or HaChaim explains that the phrase “a night of guarding” alludes to five extraordinary miracles associated with this night:

1. In the days of Abraham, when he defeated the four kings, as it says, “He divided against them by night” (Genesis 14:15).

2. At the Exodus from Egypt, as it says, “And it came to pass at midnight” (Exodus 12:29).

3. In the days of Hezekiah, when the angel struck the camp of Sennacherib, as it says, “And it came to pass that night” (II Kings 19).

4. In the days of Mordechai and Esther, as it says, “On that night the king’s sleep was disturbed” (Esther 6).

5. In the future redemption.

The continuation of the verse also alludes to these same miracles, as he explains:

Regarding the miracle of Abraham, it says “a night of guarding for the Lord,” because through that miracle the truth of God was revealed. As the sages teach, some nations did not believe in Abraham’s salvation from the furnace of Ur Kasdim, but they believed when he defeated the four kings.

Regarding Egypt, it says “to bring them out of the land of Egypt.”

Regarding the miracle of Hezekiah, it says “this is that night,” referring to the well known night described by the prophet, when the angel went out and struck the enemy camp.

Regarding the miracle of Mordechai, it says “this is that night for the Lord.”

And regarding the future redemption, it says “a night of guarding for all the children of Israel throughout their generations,” meaning until the end of days, speedily and in our time.