Questions tagged [beshalach]

The weekly Torah portion of Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)

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Is the winding פ in this sefer torah kosher?

Leaving aside all other issues with the text as displayed, are the pehs acceptable, or do they actually need an inverted vav on the inside (instead of these whirls)?
soandos's user avatar
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18 votes
1 answer
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Why is there a dagesh in second camocha, but not in first?

In "Mi chamocha ba'elim H', Mi camocha nedar bakodesh" (from the Az Yashir song by the sea, but also between the shma and the amidah in the morning, and elsewhere): מִֽי-כָמֹ֤כָה בָּֽאֵלִם֙ יְ-ק-...
Mark Fischler's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
605 views

2.4 million killed according to Rashi in B'shalach. Why does no one talk about it?

In the begining of Parshat B'shalach, Rashi says that one p'shat for "Vachamushim" means one fifth, because during Makas Choshech, 4 out of 5 were killed out, and it happened during the time it was ...
BFree's user avatar
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13 votes
1 answer
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What is the origin of the naming of Shabbat Shira?

Related to this question (about the reason for the name), what is the source or origin of calling the Shabbat on which we read Shirat Hayam Shabbat Shira? We don't call the week on which we read the ...
rosends's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
978 views

Where did the Egyptians get the wealth they brought to the sea?

In Shemot 15:22, Rashi says: Moses led Israel away: lit., made Israel journey. He led them away against their will, for the Egyptians had adorned their steeds with ornaments of gold, silver, and ...
Menachem's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
211 views

Kiddush levana- backwards passuk?

In Kiddush levana, ashkenazim say a set of pesukim three times each. One of the pesukim that we say three times is: תפל עליהם אימתה ופחד בגדל זרועך ידמו כאבן:‏ Right after this passuk, we say:...
Lo ani's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
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How did someone know which portion of 'manna' was his?

The gemara (Yoma 75a) writes that the more righteous someone was, the closer to them the manna would fall. Given that there were two million people encamped in close proximity, how did someone know ...
ray's user avatar
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10 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is the difference between the words "tzur" and "selah" (which both mean rock)?

Beshalach (Shmot 17:6): ... you shall strike the rock (tzur) and water will come forth from it ... Chukat (Bamidbar 20:8): ... speak to the rock (selah) before their eyes and it shall give its ...
sds's user avatar
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10 votes
2 answers
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Were Amalek offered a peaceful exit?

Inspired by this: The Rambam in Hilchos Melachim 6:1 writes: אין עושין מלחמה עם אדם בעולם, עד שקוראין לו לשלום--אחד מלחמת הרשות, ואחד מלחמת מצוה War is not waged with anyone in the world until they ...
Y     e     z's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
485 views

Who wrote the verse near the end of the story about Mahn in Shmot 16:35?

I am aware that the Talmud discusses a debate as to who wrote the last few verses in the Torah about Moses's death. Near the end of the story about mahn, in Shmot (Exodus) 16:35, the verse says that ...
DanF's user avatar
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9 votes
4 answers
384 views

G-d willing to give Manna/Quail, but is angered the second time?

Why is it that when the Israelites complain of not having sufficient food in Exodus 16:3 G-d is completely fine with fulfilling their desires. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by ...
Yadinga Schumel's user avatar
9 votes
4 answers
545 views

Why krias yam suf, not bkias

As far as i know, the torah shebichsav never refers to the splitting of the sea as a 'kriah', i.e. a ripping. The torah says things like ויבקעו המים (Shemos 14:21) which means that the sea split. In ...
Moshe Steinberg's user avatar
8 votes
5 answers
254 views

Why strong wind when splitting the sea?

The verses describing the splitting of the Yam Suf (Reed Sea) say a strong wind blew overnight before the sea split. To me, this implies a gradual process of moving a great deal of water. On the ...
Michael Sandler's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
17k views

Do the Jews know the location of the omer of manna?

Do the Jews know the location of the omer of manna? Is there a story? Is it lost? It sure would be helpful in proving God to Atheists. Then Moses said, “This is the thing which the LORD has ...
Decrypted's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
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Can dew really make an eggshell fly?

In פרשת בשלח 16:14, it says -- The layer of dew went up, and behold, on the surface of the desert, a fine, bare [substance] as fine as frost on the ground. On that verse, Rashi says (translated ...
user6618's user avatar
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7 votes
4 answers
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Many Jews died in Plague of Darkness, why not Dathan and Abiram?

Some say only 1/5, others say 1/50 and others say 1/500 of the Israelites left Egypt. This means between 80-99.8% of Jews (the reshaim who did not merit or want the Redemption from Egypt) died, ...
Daniel's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
500 views

How to define the Malach YHVH

The Malach YHVH is mentioned many times, but what is or who is this being exactly? How should one define: Malach YHVH? It's the Malach YHVH that is talking to Hagar, but after the whole event she ...
Mike's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
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Who spoke in Sh'mot 15:26?

After shirat hayam the people grow concerned about water and God instructs Moshe in how to satisfy their needs. Then Shemot 15:26 says: וַיֹּאמֶר אִם שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע לְקוֹל | יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ ...
Monica Cellio's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
155 views

Yehoshua and the Destruction of Amalek

I was just reviewing the Rashi on the parsha and I was struck by a couple very unusual juxtapositions. 17:14 reads "... Write this as a remembrance in the Book and place it in the ears of Yehoshua, ...
Isaac Kotlicky's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
219 views

Who came up with this story?

It says in Mekor Baruch (of Rabbi Baruch Epstein) The Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin, the Netziv, was once sitting down surrounded by several high-caliber students – avrechim versed in Torah, wise, and ...
ertert3terte's user avatar
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6 votes
4 answers
259 views

נַ֣חְנוּ נַעֲבֹ֧ר Is the Torah using slang

In Bamidbar 32:32, The Torah tells us in reference to Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven that נַ֣חְנוּ נַעֲבֹ֧ר, we will cross over. Also, the only other times that the Tanach uses the word נַ֣חְנוּ is in: ...
Ploni Almoni's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
292 views

Dagesh for adornment

On Sh'mos 2:3 and 15:17, Minchas Shay notes that הַצְּפִינוֹ and מִקְּדָשׁ have a dagesh in their respective second letters "for adornment (tif'eres)". Is this aural or visual adornment? How/Why is ...
msh210's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
244 views

Why the person switches in Shemos 14:2-4?

Shemos 14:2-4: דבר, אל-בני ישראל, וישובו ויחנו לפני פי החירות, בין מגדול ובין הים: לפני בעל צפון, נכחו תחנו על-הים.‏ ואמר פרעה לבני ישראל, נבוכים הם בארץ; סגר עליהם, המדבר.‏ וחיזקתי את-לב-פרעה, ורדף ...
Y     e     z's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
94 views

יהושע too soon [duplicate]

We all know that Moshe did not change הושע to יהושע until the story of the spies. Why in Beshalach, quite a bit before this, was his name written in full?
SimchasTorah's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Shirat HaYam Trop: Which Phrases?

Which phrases in Shirat HaYam are read with the special 'shirah' trop? (Inspired by this question.)
paquda's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
775 views

Shabbos Shira - putting out bread for the birds

Is there a problem with putting out bread for birds on Shabbos (in a case where there is no carrying issues)?
Gershon Gold's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
288 views

Ibn Ezra's Arabic-based explanation of the vav heading some clauses

Sh'mos 9:21: וַאֲשֶׁר לֹא שָׂם לִבּוֹ אֶל דְּבַר יהוה וַיַּעֲזֹב אֶת עֲבָדָיו וְאֶת מִקְנֵהוּ בַּשָּׂדֶה And 13:17: וַיְהִי בְּשַׁלַּח פַּרְעֹה אֶת הָעָם וְלֹא נָחָם אֱלֹהִים דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ ...
msh210's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
852 views

Does Judaism kill the infidels?

I apologize in advance if this comes across as provocative. That is not at all my intention; I ask simply to learn. "Kill the infidels" is a phrase often used to describe Islam's stance on ...
DonielF's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
82 views

Was the rock the Moshe hit in Shemos 17 the be'er miriam

Rashi in Bamidbar 20:2 notes that until Miriam died the be'er [literally well] gave water. Was this be'er the rock which Moshe hit in Shemos 17? Or was it a well, and if so where is the first source ...
jack666's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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Why does the piyut of Dayenu in the Haggadah shel Pesah say "Ilu he'echilanu et hamann" before "Ilu natan lanu et HaShabat?"

Bnei Yisrael were given hok umishpat at Marah.  Rashi explains that they were given a few mitzvot, including Shabbat. Afterwards, when they got to Eilim, they were given the mann.  Why then, does the ...
Yaakov Pinchas's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
225 views

Why the use of "King of Egypt" at the beginning of Shemot 14::5?

The beginning of Shemot 14:5 says, "It was told to the King of Egypt...". Why use this term instead of the more common term "Pharoah"?
DanF's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
867 views

Why is Parshas Beshalach called Shabbos Shira?

Most people know that we read Az Yashir on Shabbos Shira and we put out bread for the birds. However this is the only Shabbos that has a special name simply because of what we read in the Parsha. (...
Gershon Gold's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
219 views

Who hit the Nile with his stick?

שמות יז ה has: ומטך אשר הכית בו את היאור Moshe did not hit the Nile river, Aharon did. (See שמות ז יט, with Rashi.) Why does the Torah say otherwise?
SimchasTorah's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
476 views

Layout of Shiras HaYam: Half-Brick Over Brick

Is there a reason/meaning behind the "half-brick over brick" layout of Shiras Hayam as written in a Sefer Torah? I am familiar with the gemara in Megilla (16b) that states the layout is to be that way,...
C.K.'s user avatar
  • 481
4 votes
1 answer
95 views

What does כסיה mean?

The Gemara in Pesachim 117a brings a disagreement whether כס יה, in the last pasuk of Beshalach, is one word or two. As far as I know all modern Sifrei Torah (Ashkenazi, Sefardi, Teimoni) have two ...
Heshy's user avatar
  • 9,136
4 votes
1 answer
137 views

Pesach: Shira Taamim?

I cannot recall, find or ask anyone who remembers 100% if, when we read Shiras Hayam (from Beshalach) on the 7th day of Pesach, we do so using the regular taamim (Trupp) or the Taamey Shira, the same ...
boruch's user avatar
  • 173
4 votes
1 answer
189 views

Why Can't Moshe's Hands Perform Miracles?

The Torah (Shemos 17) describes a battle between Israel and Amalek in Refidim, and says that when Moshe's hands were raised, the Israel would be winning, but when he lowered his hands Amalek would ...
הנער הזה's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Parshas Haman on Tuesday of Beshalach

What is the Significance of Saying the Parshas Haman on the Tuesday of Beshalach and how is it done?
SimchasTorah's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
110 views

Why does G-d provide meat together with the mahn?

In viewing the intial complaint, B'nai Yisra'el complained that there was no meat or bread in the desert. I was curious why they asked for meat, considering that they had so many animals and they ...
DanF's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
84 views

The test of the bread from heaven

The verse of Shemot 16:4 tells that HaShem will cause bread to rain (come down) from heaven to (humble; Devarim 8:16 and) test the people whether or not they will walk in His Torah. The literal ...
Levi's user avatar
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3 votes
5 answers
1k views

Reading zeicher, zecher, or both during the regular Torah reading

For parshat Zachor, many have a practice of saying both timche et zeicher amalek and timche et zecher amalek (different vowels on זכר). What are the customs regarding this word when it appears in the ...
Scimonster's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
226 views

difference between תולעים and רמה

In Beshalach 16:20: וְלֹא שָׁמְעוּ אֶל מֹשֶׁה וַיּוֹתִרוּ אֲנָשִׁים מִמֶּנּוּ עַד בֹּקֶר וַיָּרֻם תּוֹלָעִים וַיִּבְאַשׁ וַיִּקְצֹף עֲלֵהֶם מֹשֶׁה:‏ A few Pesukim later in 16:24: ...
SimchasTorah's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
112 views

Where is the first time that the splitting of the Red Sea is referred to as קריעת ים סוף?

The text of the Torah refers to the sea "splitting" (וַיִּבָּקְעוּ הַמָּיִם - Ex.14:21). Where is the first source where the Sages refer to this event as "tearing" (קריעה)?
Shaul Behr's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
184 views

איצטנא in Targ. Y. Exodus 16

Shalom, first time posting. Can someone help me track down a dictionary entry for the word איצטנא or אצטנא (which is found in Targum Pseudo-Jonathan for Exodus 16:4 and 16:15)? The English ...
Garrett Lucas's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
243 views

When was the war with Amalek?

It seems from its placement in Chumash that the (first) war with Amalek occurred between the exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Torah at Sinai. (Is that the case, or did it occur at another time?)...
msh210's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
425 views

Kriyas Yam Suf and Naḥshon ben Amminadav

By Kriyas Yam Suf it says that the first one to Jump in was Naḥchshon ben Amminadav. My question is: why didn't Moshe Rabbenu jump in first?
simchastorah's user avatar
  • 9,061
3 votes
1 answer
241 views

Who did Yehoshua weaken with the sword?

The verse says (Shemos 17:13): And Yehoshua weakened Amalek and his nation in accordance with the sword. Who did he weaken exactly - what's the difference between Amalek and his nation? Or is there a ...
gt6989b's user avatar
  • 3,047
3 votes
2 answers
319 views

Dolphins in the Sea

I have heard that there is a Midrash which says that Dolphins swam on either side of the dry land when the sea was split for Moshe to warn the fish not to swim out onto dry land. Why are there ...
morah hochman's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
95 views

Why switch to the singular in Sh'mot 17:3?

In parshat B'shalach, the people complain a bunch. They do so in the plural form unless the verb is connected to their identity as a nation, a collective singular. However, in 17:3, the text moves ...
rosends's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
166 views

ה' ימלך לעלם ועד to ימלוך ה' לעולם

In Parshas Beshalach (and Emet Ve-Yatziv/Ve-Emunah) it says ה' ימלך לעלם ועד, but in Sefer Tehilim (and Kedushah) it says ימלוך ה' לעולם. Why the change in language?
SimchasTorah's user avatar
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