Parashat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)
Exodus 13 (continued)
13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
Comment : “ … led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of … ”: This was not the nearest way towards the promised land, which is to the northeast. However, this is the correct direction towards Gd’s mountain (Mount Sinai), which is to the southeast. It is better to accept the Ten Commandments there first, before going to the promised land. [1]
“the Red sea”: but a sea is in the way, blocking them from approaching Mount Sinai! When Gd has willed it, the sea will open and make a way.
[1] I noticed this point from an email announcement that Roy Schwarcz sent to his Exodus study group.
Exodus 14
14:23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
Comment: How often do we see the sea open? When the Egyptians saw the sea open, weren’t they afraid? No, they went in after the Israelites. I was wondering what went through their mind at that time. Maybe they rationalized it as a natural phenomenon that the “strong east wind” (v.21) opened the sea? This time the natural law is going against them soon: by nature the water will be pulled back by gravity, and they will be drowned! Of course, ultimately it was Gd Who allowed them to be “brave” enough to go to the midst of the sea, in order to drown them. It is not clear why Gd decided to destroy them. Some related discussions are seen at https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/5369748/jewish/Why-Did-All-the-Pursuers-Die-at-the-Red-Sea.htm
In an extended sense, all enemies who are determined to enslave Gd’s people will be ultimately destroyed by Gd (sometimes even in a way that does not contradict the natural laws).
Exodus 15
15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Comment: This chapter ends the story of Exodus from Egypt that occupied 15 chapters. The ending verse here mentions 12 wells and 70 trees (date palms תמרים), which provide water and food (dates) to the Israelites. The numbers 12 and 70 nicely correspond to the 12 sons of Jacob and his 70 descendants (mentioned in Chapter 1), who went down to Egypt initially. This reads as if these ancestors had also gone out of Egypt together with their descendants, who are now continuing their unaccomplished missions on earth.
Exodus 16
16:25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field.
Comment: “… to day … to day … to day …”: the phrase “to day” is repeated 3 times on “a sabbath”. The Jews derive from this verse, that one should have 3 meals on Sabbath (instead of 2 meals on a regular day). https://outorah.org/p/38814/
Exodus 17
17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Comment: “will have war with Amalek from generation to generation”: The Amalekites represent Gd’s enemies. In fact, Amalek was the grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12). Therefore, the Amalekites and the Israelites share the same maternal ancestor Rebecca and the same forefather Isaac (Genesis 25:28). Despite their common heredity, they are opposite in Gd’s plan. The Israelites would soon go to Mount Sinai to become a covenant people of Gd, and here the Amalekites were fighting and obstructing the Israelites from reaching there.