Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Beshalach: Leaving Egypt (Sunday, 7th Shevat)

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 Parshas Beshalach

Pesukim: 116 [Siman: יד אמונה]

Haftorah: Shoftim 4:4[1]-5:31

 

 

Number of Mitzvos:

There is a total of One Mitzvah in Parshas Beshalach. Zero positive command and One negative commands.

 

Negative commands:

1. Mitzvah 24/Negative 13: Not to leave the Techum/border on Shabbos.[2]

 Rishon

  1. Bnei Yisrael journey after leaving Egypt:
    • The route: After Pharaoh sent the nation, Hashem, rather than taking them through the land of the Philistines which was a shorter route, he took them the roundabout route through the desert of the Sea of Reeds. This is because Hashem feared perhaps the people would turn back if taken by the short route.
    • Arms: The Jewish people were armed when they left Egypt.
    • Yosef’s bones: Moshe took with him Yosef’s bones out of Egypt, as Yosef made the Jewish people swear to take them when they left.
    • Journeying to Eisam: They traveled from Sukkos to Eisam, which was at the end of the desert.
    • The clouds of glory: Hashem went before the Jewish people in a pillar of cloud in order to guide them. At night He went before them in a pillar of fire, to shine for them the night, so they could travel by day and by night.
  • Turning back to Pi Hachiros: Hashem instructed Moshe to turn back and encamp by Pi Hachiros which is between Migdal and the sea, opposite Baal Tzefon. “Pharaoh will then exclaim regarding Bnei Yisrael that they have trapped themselves in the desert and I will harden his heart so he gives chase, and then Egypt will know that I am Hashem.”
  • The Jewish people did as they were instructed.

 

  1. Pharaoh chases after Bnei Yisrael:
  • Pharaoh was told that the Jewish people had fled, and he and his servants regretted having sent them out. He thus harnessed his chariot and took his people with him. He took six hundred select chariots, together with all of Egypt’s chariots to chase after the Jewish people.
  • Hashem hardened the heart of Pharaoh to chase after the Bnei Yisrael and meanwhile the Jewish people were going out with a raised hand.

[1] So is followed by Ashkenazi and Chabad communities. However, Sefaradi communities begin reading from 5:1

[2] Listed by Rambam, Chinuch, however is not considered a Biblical prohibition according to Ramban. See Chinuch ibid; Admur 396:1 for both opinions.

Q&A on Rashi

  1. Why didn’t God lead the Israelites through the land of the Philistines?

Answer:
Rashi explains that although it was the shortest route, God avoided it because it was too close to Egypt. If the Israelites saw war (like with Amalek or Canaanites), they might regret leaving and return to Egypt.

 

  1. What does “וַיַּסֵּב” mean in verse 18?

Answer:
It means “He led them around,” i.e., God diverted them from the straight route to a circuitous one toward the Sea of Reeds.

 

  1. What does “יַם־סוּף” mean?

Answer:
It refers to the Sea of Reeds, a marshy area where reeds grow, as in “she placed it among the rushes (בַּסּוּף)” (Exodus 2:3).

 

  1. What does “וַחֲמֻשִׁים” mean?

Answer:
Rashi gives two explanations:

  • Armed: They left Egypt equipped with weapons for the desert journey.
  • One out of five: Only one-fifth of the Israelites left Egypt; four-fifths died during the plague of darkness.

 

  1. Why did Moses take Joseph’s bones?

Answer:
Joseph made his brothers swear that when God redeemed them, they would take his bones out of Egypt. He didn’t ask his children because the Egyptians wouldn’t allow them to do so immediately.

 

  1. Why was the place called Pi HaChirot?

Answer:
It was originally Pitom, but now called Pi HaChirot because there the Israelites became free people (בְּנֵי חוֹרִין).

 

  1. Why did God leave Ba’al Tzefon standing?

Answer:
It was the only Egyptian idol left, so the Egyptians would think it was powerful and be misled, fulfilling “He lets nations err and destroys them” (Job 12:23).

 

  1. What does “נְבֻכִים הֵם” mean in 14:3?

Answer:
It means “confined” or “trapped,” as if locked in the desert without knowing how to escape.

 

  1. Why does God say, “I will be glorified through Pharaoh”?

Answer:
When God punishes the wicked, His Name is exalted. Rashi cites similar verses about God’s glory being revealed through judgment.

 

  1. How did Pharaoh persuade his people to join him?

Answer:
He promised to lead them personally into battle and share the spoils equally, unlike other kings who take the best for themselves.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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