Parshas Beshalach (5772)

Bs”d

Parshas Beshalach (5772)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi at the beginning of Beshalach (13:18) in his explanation of “Vachamushim” using the expression l’saber es haozen and it is not clear whether he meant that Klal Yisroel went out with an actual arsenal of battle equipment or the pasuk just mentions for some reason but not to say that in reality they were equipped.

Perhaps we can offer an insight to the meaning of the pasuk in a way of a literal translation based on the depth of reality that since the real and actual tool that was used in the battle against Amalek was the intensive concentration of ‘ain od milvado’ which was the emuna and bitachon in Hashem. Accordingly, in the true sense of the word ‘chamushim’ yatzu– they went out prepared — Klal Yisroel was certainly equipped with the emuna and bitachon which was their true tool.

Rashi offers an alternate seemingly unrelated explanation of ‘chamushim’ alluding to the fact only one out of five actually went out of Mitzrayim, the others were deemed unworthy among other things for their lack of belief. Perhaps we can say now that if not for the fact that they were Divinely prevented from going out, they would have joined the believers, and they would have nullified the true tool of battle which was the firm belief of the faithful. What this amounts to is that the seemingly unrelated perush of Chazal is really one with Rashi’s first pshat — shnayhem olim b’koneh echad.

Have a wonderful week and success in all your endeavors.