Questions tagged [yetziat-mitzrayim]
The redemption of the Jewish People from slavery in Egypt; performed by G-d through Moses.
171
questions
1
vote
0answers
61 views
Were Bene-Israel more numerous than the Egyptians according to Exodus 1:9?
Exodus 1:9 He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join ...
7
votes
2answers
118 views
Did the Jews speak Lashon Hara while in Egypt
In Vayikra Rabbah 32:5 the Midrash Rabbah is explicit that one of the reasons the Jews were redeemed from exile is because the did not speak Lashon Harah (slander) about each other while they were in ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
Source that we were enslaved in Egypt to bring national unity
I heard in a Shiur that the Medresh says that the reason we were enslaved in Egypt was to bring national unity. Does anyone know where the Medresh says that? Thanks.
0
votes
0answers
59 views
Were the original tablets brought down by Moses the same as the second set?
We're taught that when Moses brought down the tablets, he shattered the first set in a rage after witnessing his people worshipping the golden calf.
As soon as Moses came near the camp and saw the ...
0
votes
2answers
35 views
Why does "like the days you went out of Egypt" deal with plural "days"?
In the verse, Michah 7:15, it says "Like the days you went out of Egypt, I'll show them {lit. "him"} wonders", which simply implies that the future redemption will be similar to ...
7
votes
1answer
276 views
What day of the week was Yeziyat Mizrayim?
Do we have a tradition what day of the week Yeziayit Mizrayim was? I seem to recall seeing it stated somewhere, but a quick search didn't find any sources.
2
votes
0answers
63 views
Midrash on commandments for non-Jews
Note: I had recalled seeing this or a similar question somewhere on the site but couldn't find it.
There's a midrash that appears in two versions (that I know of), one in Midrash Tehillim 21:1:
"...
4
votes
3answers
332 views
טט בכתפי שתים - is Katfi Coptic?
The gemara in Menachos 34b learns the number of parshiyos in tefillin in various ways. One is
ר"ע אומר אינו צריך טט בכתפי שתים פת באפריקי שתים
Rabbi Akiva says: ... four compartments can be ...
-1
votes
5answers
169 views
Why did God want the Israelites to take riches from Egypt before the Exodus?
In parshat Bo, we read:
And the Lord said to Moses... Speak, please, in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
How populated was Egypt in the times of the patriarchs and by whom?
I start with the assumption that since no miracle is mentioned regarding the Egyptians, they reproduced naturally, having on average 4-5 kids.
If we assume that Mitzrayim, the son of Ham, was the ...
2
votes
2answers
76 views
Did the Jews know that Moshe was the future redeemer and being raised in the palace?
It's quite plausible to suggest that Moshe's birth which lit up the room was known to more than just the family. Also, the fact that Yocheved weaned him for 2 years then sent him to the palace could ...
2
votes
0answers
49 views
How to understand Yoseph's seemingly cruel actions?
It seems that Yoseph completely changed the system of government from one where citizens had land rights and minimal taxes to one where the right to property was taken away and 20% tax.
He basically ...
0
votes
1answer
92 views
Do we ignore the language differences interpreting Moses being not a man of words (לֹא֩ אִ֨ישׁ דְּבָרִ֜ים אָנֹ֗כִי)?
Do we ignore the language differences interpreting Moses being not a man of words (לֹא֩ אִ֨ישׁ דְּבָרִ֜ים אָנֹ֗כִי)?
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶל־יְהוָה֮ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנָי֒ לֹא֩ אִ֨ישׁ דְּבָרִ֜ים אָנֹ֗כִי ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Are there Orthodox sources on alternative estimations of the Exodus?
When discussing the Exodus, some academic scholars try to reconcile the Biblical narrative with empirical findings by lowering the estimates for the number of people involved and the grandiosity of ...
5
votes
1answer
275 views
How did the Israelites borrow garments from the Egyptians?
It is written1 that the Israelites kept their uniqueness by keeping their language, names and their dress. Why then did the Bnei Yisrael borrow from the Egyptians their clothes if they kept their ...
1
vote
1answer
128 views
Is there a midrash that says all of the water in the world split at the time of the splitting of the reed sea?
Is there a midrash that states that all the bodies of water split during the splitting of the reed sea? If yes, I would think that such an event would be recorded in some secular history book? Are ...
1
vote
2answers
140 views
Why did Pharaoh let the Jews out if he thought they were leaving for 3 days in order to serve hashem when they were alreadys serving hashem there?
It is my understanding that Pharaoh truly believed that he was allowing the Jews out (even towards the very end) for a 3 day journey and the reason behind this journey was to go to Sinai in order that ...
1
vote
1answer
88 views
How does one calculate from pesach to the keriat yam suf?
Quote“We are all familiar with the historical reason for celebrating the ‘seventh day of Passover’ – for (according to the Midrash) the miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea took place seven days ...
3
votes
1answer
91 views
Were there really 5x as many makkos at yam suf?
Towards the end of the haggadah, there is a paragraph discussing how many makkos there were at yam suf:
רבי יוסי הגלילי אומר- מנין אתה אומר שלקו המצרים במצרים עשר מכות ועל הים לקו חמישים מכות? ...
0
votes
1answer
105 views
Looking for midrash source
A couple of years ago I heard a vort based on a midrash. The midrash apparently stated that when Yisrael were enslaved in Egypt, the Egyptians made them work very hard at building magnificent ...
1
vote
1answer
124 views
Eggs in Salt Water at the Seder
Minhagei Yeshurun (119) writes
היה אסור לכהני מצרים עפ"י דתם לאכול מלח לזה צוו חז"ל לאכלו בפסח בסעודה
זו למען עשות נגד חקיהם טעם אכילת תחלה בצים מבושלות הוא גם כן למען
עשות נגד חוקי המצרים כי ...
2
votes
1answer
113 views
Did the Israelites erase their tracks from Egypt to Eretz Yisrael?
I remember reading that Moses gave one tribe of Israel the task of erasing every trace of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Is this accurate, what is the source, and what would ...
1
vote
5answers
155 views
Why were the plagues necessary if God hardened Pharaoh's heart?
The Torah tells us that God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he would not let the Israelites go. [Ex. Ch. 4-14] Some commentators [e.g., Sforno] explain that this was in order to allow Pharaoh to ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Why does the Torah repeat 20 times that God hardened Pharaoh's heart?
The Torah tells us twenty times, in the space of just a few pages [Ex. Ch. 4-14], that God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he would not let the Israelites go. Why this emphatic insistence on this ...
0
votes
1answer
83 views
Why does Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of Egypt?
Pharaoh hears that Joseph successfully interprets dreams. He summons him, and Joseph tells him that his dream means 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. So Pharaoh orders that food be ...
1
vote
0answers
20 views
Why is the narrative of Moses growing up in Pharaoh's house important?
I begin with the assertion that nothing is arbitrary in the Torah and the history followed the big plan as envisioned by the Creator.
The narrative of Moses' origin is fascinating but its necessity ...
2
votes
0answers
62 views
Why aren't the walls also made of Schach?
The Gemmorah learns the obligation of Succah from the Clouds of Glory that surrounded the Jewish people on Exodus (and later).
It also learns (at least one opinion) that the Schach must resemble a ...
1
vote
0answers
53 views
Why don't we say "this is a Succah our forefathers used in Exodus"
On the Seder Night, we say הא לחמא עניא - this is the bread our ancestors ate in Egypt.
The Torah says we should sit in Succos as G-d made Succos in Exodus (Lev 23.43).
לְמַעַן יֵדְעוּ דֹרֹתֵיכֶם ...
-1
votes
1answer
48 views
Does Torah mention actual living in Sukkot?
IIRC, R' Akiva's view is that the Jews lived in actual Succot when exiting Egypt (Sukkah 11b "ענני כבוד היו דברי רבי אליעזר, רבי עקיבא אומר: סוכות ממש עשו להם"). But I only remember that the Torah ...
0
votes
0answers
52 views
Why was Pharaoh spared? [duplicate]
Pharaoh & many Egyptians were obviously evil men who enslaved our ancestors & foolishly refused to let them go free. Why was Pharaoh spared? As the main villain in this tragedy you’d think he ...
5
votes
1answer
246 views
What were the Hebrews' tents made out of?
There are multiple clear references to the Hebrews sleeping in tents during the Exodus. But what were they made of?
Keeping in mind that they did not have lots of time to prepare for the journey (...
7
votes
3answers
279 views
Did Israelites who stayed in Egypt become halachically Jewish?
Some sources indicate that not all of the Israelites left Egypt during the Exodus. On the other hand, the initial "conversion" of the Israelites to Judaism occurred at Matan Torah at Mt. Sinai during ...
2
votes
2answers
230 views
Population of Jews at exodus seems unrealistically large [duplicate]
I am a preacher. Today I was talking with some Jews who talked about the 2.5 -3.0 million people who witnessed the miracles of the exodus.
But according to my knowledge, the population of Africa at ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
Why were the 42 journeys needed to cross the desert?
Seemingly, the travel to the promised land could necessitate only one two stops - Crossing the Red Sea and at Mt Sinai to receive the Torah. Theoretically, the next stop would be Arvot Moab, before ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
What did the Jews do all day in the desert for 40 years?
They had food prepared for them.
Rashi says that during the first and last years they had a lot of journeys. But in the middle 38 years, there were only 20 journeys. Even though that doesn't tell us ...
3
votes
1answer
95 views
Did any 100 y.o. Exodus survivors enter the Promised Land?
IIRC the decree of dying in the desert was limited for those aged 20-60 at the Exodus. Of those who were 60 at that time and 100 at the entering of the Land, did they all die in the decree, or did ...
10
votes
0answers
79 views
What about Yetziat Mitzrayim should I remember?
One of the שש זכירות requires that I remember the Exodus from Egypt (זכירת יציאת מצרים). According to the linked Wiki document, in an effort to fulfill
(לְמַעַן תִּזְכֹּר אֶת יוֹם צֵאתְךָ מֵאֶרֶץ ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there a source that says only 1/5th of the Jews will make it past the messiah?
I have heard an explanation, that since only 1/5th of the Jews were liberated from Egypt in the Bible, so too only 1/5th of us Jews will survive the eventual redemption. Is this true, and if it is, ...
6
votes
6answers
491 views
How many Jews were in Egypt before the Exodus?
In Sanhedrin 111a, we read:
It is taught in a baraita with regard to the few that are destined to be redeemed: Rav Simai says that it is stated: “And I will take you to Me as a people” (Exodus 6:7),...
4
votes
0answers
62 views
How many erev rav people were there?
How many erev rav people came out with Moshe from Egypt (Ex. 12:38)? Was it a few thousand only or more?
Please source.
7
votes
1answer
286 views
Question about Shemot, locusts
I have a question that I've asked to multiple rabbis but that remains unanswered:
Dear Rabbi:
Question about Parasha. In Exodus 10:19 the locusts enter the Red Sea. What is the connection ...
-2
votes
2answers
168 views
After the Exodus was Egypt totally ruined or not?
We had the 10 plagues, we had the Egyptians drowned in the sea, but what's the bottom-line - was Egypt at Egyptians totally ruined and the end of the story or despite the fact that some died, Egypt ...
0
votes
2answers
99 views
Expel them or kill them?
In some places the Torah tells the Israelites about to enter the Land of Israel to expel all its inhabitants. For example, in Numbers 33:52-33:55:
You shall drive out all the inhabitants of the ...
2
votes
0answers
36 views
Melachot on the original Shabbat Hagadol
I have been informed, this morning, from two different sources, that the original Shabbat Hagadol was the Shabbat on the 10th of Nissan when the Children of Israel were preparing for the Exodus. They ...
2
votes
1answer
63 views
Divine Name of Ehy-eh Asher Ehy-eh
Shemot 3:14 speaks about one of the name of Hashem called Eh-yeh Asher Eh-yeh.
How does this name go along with the redemtion from egypt? Why specifically this name is used?
2
votes
1answer
35 views
Why did the ploy to get Mitzraim to come to the sea require Ba'al Tzefon's existence and Bnei Yisrael's wandering aimlessly?
Shemos 14:1-4:
וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר׃ דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיָשֻׁבוּ וְיַחֲנוּ לִפְנֵי פִּי הַחִירֹת בֵּין מִגְדֹּל וּבֵין הַיָּם לִפְנֵי בַּעַל צְפֹן נִכְחוֹ תַחֲנוּ עַל־...
3
votes
1answer
49 views
According to Seder Olam Rabbah, when did Bnei Yisrael travel to Refidim?
According to the chronology I cite here from Seder Olam Rabbah ch. 5,
ומאילם נסעו לאלוש, שנאמר ויסעו מאילם ויבאו כל עדת בני ישראל אל מדבר סין (שמות טז א) (הוא אלוש) בחמשה עשר יום לחדש השני לצאתם ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
How far was the basket away from Batya?
Midrashim says that the basket in which Moshe Rabbeinu was there was far away from batya. She reached our her hands which became elongated.
How far exactly was the basket away from Batya?
1
vote
1answer
275 views
Why did Batya get tzaraat?
Midrashim says that Batya got tzaraat, so she use to go to the river nile to feel better after washing.
why did she get tzaraat?
0
votes
2answers
71 views
Egyptians guarding Israelites
Rabbi Zitron quotes that there are twentyfour different types of ways to protect the jews from escaping.
(It may be a bit irritating seeing my questions always quoting from lectures from youtube. I ...