Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Beshalach: The sea splits (Tuesday, 9th Shevat)

Q1: Why did God say to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me?” (14:15)

A:
Rashi explains two ideas:

1. Moses was standing in lengthy prayer. God told him this was not the time for prolonged prayer, because Israel was in immediate danger.
2. God said: “The matter depends on Me, not on you”—as in the verse, “Will you instruct Me regarding My children?” God was saying: the decree has already been made—just proceed.

Q2: What is meant by “Speak to the Israelites and let them journey forth”? (14:15)

A:
All they needed to do was begin moving toward the sea. It would not obstruct them.
The merits of the forefathers, their own faith, and the faith they showed when leaving Egypt were sufficient to split the sea.

Q3: Why is the angel called “מַלְאַךְ הָאֱלֹהִים” here instead of “מַלְאַךְ ה׳”? (14:19)

A:
Whenever the Torah uses the Name “אֱלֹהִים,” it indicates judgment.
Rashi says Israel was being judged at that moment—whether they deserved salvation or destruction.

Q4: Why did the pillar of cloud move behind Israel? (14:19)

A:
To separate Israel from the Egyptians and to absorb arrows and projectiles fired by the Egyptians during the night.

Q5: How did the cloud and fire protect Israel? (14:20)

A:
Rashi brings a parable:
A father traveling with his son moves the child behind or in front depending on where danger approaches.
Eventually, with danger from both sides, the father lifts the child into his arms.
So too God positioned the cloud and pillar of fire to protect Israel.

Q6: What does “וַיִּבָּקְעוּ הַמָּיִם” mean? Did only the Red Sea split? (14:21)

A:
Rashi says: all waters in the world split, not just the sea.

Q7: Why does the verse say “כֹּל סוּס פַּרְעֹה” — “every horse of Pharaoh” in singular? (14:23)

A:
To teach that before God, all the horses of Egypt were as insignificant as a single horse.

Q8: What is “בְּאַשְׁמֹרֶת הַבֹּקֶר” — the morning watch? (14:24)

A:
According to Rashi:

• The night was divided into three watches
• Angels sang in three assigned shifts
• Each division was called an אַשְׁמוֹרֶת
  The last one is “the morning watch.”

Q9: How were the Egyptians thrown into confusion? (14:24)

A:
Rashi explains:

• The cloud made the seabed muddy
• The pillar of fire made it boiling hot
• Their flags and formations were disrupted
• Their camp fell into chaos
  He connects “וַיָּהָם” with “confusion” and even “thunderous trembling.”

Q10: How did God “remove the wheels of their chariots”? (14:25)

A:
The fire burned the wooden wheels off.
The chariots dragged heavily, shaking their riders until their limbs dislocated.

Q11: What does “He treated them heavily (בִּכְבֵדֻת)” mean? (14:25)

A:
Measure for measure:
Pharaoh had “made his heart heavy” (הִכְבִּיד) against Israel.
Now God made their