1)

Why did the angel move from in front of Yisrael to behind them?

1.

Rashi #1 and Targum Yonasan: To make a division between the Egyptian Camp and the Camp of Yisrael and to catch the arrows and slingshots that the former were shooting at Yisrael.

2.

Rashi (in Va'eschanan Devarim, 4:37): Like a father who places his son in front of him (in order to see that no harm befalss him).

3.

Ramban #1 (citing the Ibn Ezra) and Rashbam: The angel led the Cloud (mentioned later in the Pasuk) to divide between the two camps, creating darkness that prevented the Egyptians from closing in on Yisrael the entire night, whilst the Pillar of Fire lit up the night 1 for Yisrael. 2

4.

Seforno: The angel led the Pillar of Fire 3 to the rear of Yisrael, whilst the Pillar of Cloud positioned itself between the Pillar of Fire and the Egyptians. 4

5.

Hadar Zekenim: The 'Mal'ach' was actually the Pillar of cloud. 5

6.

Moshav Zekenim: The 'Mal'ach' was actually the Pillar of Fire,which is considered a Mal'ach, since it has Ru'ach Chayim.


1

As the Pasuk states in Yehoshua 24:7 (Rashbam).

2

Rashi too, gives this explanation with regard to the Pillar of Cloud (Refer to 14:20:1:1), only he considers the angel and the Pillar of Cloud two separate entities (See Sifsei Chachamim on this Pasuk). And this is also how Targum Yonasan in this Pasuk explains it. Alternatively, "Mal'ach ha'Elokim" refers to the Beis-Din of ha'Kadosh-Baruch-Hu which dwelt in the Pillar of Fire. Refer also to 14:20:1:2.

3

Which was needed to lead Yisrael that night - since they had no option but to follow the pathway in the sea (Seforno).

4

Refer to 14:20:1:2.

5

Hadar Zekenim: As the Pasuk immediately clarifies. And it transpires that Yisrael were placed in between the two pillars. Refer also to 14:20:1:1.

2)

Why does the Torah refer to it as "Mal'ach ha'Elokim" instead of the more common 'Mal'ach Hashem'?

1.

Rashi (citing the Mechilta): Because Yisrael were standing in judgment before Hashem, whether to be saved or whether to perish together with the Egyptians. 1


1

Besides the fact that Hashem already informed Moshe a number of times in this Parshah that He will save Yisrael (See for example Pasuk 13, 16), it is not clear why the Mechilta attributes the Midas ha'Din to Yisrael and not to Par'oh. Moreover, in Pasuk 14, Hashem said to Moshe that Hashem (Midas Rachamim) would fight on behalf of Yisrael?

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:
Month: Day: Year:
Month: Day: Year:

KIH Logo
D.A.F. Home Page
Sponsorships & DonationsReaders' FeedbackMailing ListsTalmud ArchivesAsk the KollelDafyomi WeblinksDafyomi CalendarOther Yomi calendars