(înapoi la pagina ZOHAR CUPRINS / BESHALACH – click)
65) “And Pharaoh drew near” means that he sacrificed his whole army and vehicles to make war [Hikriv means both “brought closer” and “sacrificed”]. We also learn that Pharaoh brought Israel closer to repentance. This is why it is written, “And Pharaoh drew near” and not “And Pharaoh brought closer.”
66) It is written, “O Lord, they sought You in distress; they could only whisper a prayer, Your chastening was upon them.” “They sought You in distress” means that Israel do not visit the Creator in times of contentment, but when they are in distress, and then they all visit Him. “They could only whisper a prayer” means that they are all praying with prayers and litanies, and pour out prayers before Him. When? “Your chastening before them,” when the Creator visits them in His strap. Then the Creator stands over them in Rachamim [mercies] and welcomes their voice, to avenge their enemies, and He fills with mercy over them.
67) Israel were nearing the sea and saw the sea before them becoming stormier, its waves straightening upward. They were afraid. They raised their eyes and saw Pharaoh and his army, and slings and arrows, and they were terrified. “And the children of Israel cried out.” Who caused Israel to draw near to their father in heaven? It was Pharaoh, as it is written, “And Pharaoh drew near.”
68) “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear.’” Happy are Israel that a shepherd such as Moses walks among them. It is written, “And He remembered the days of old, Moses His people.” “And He remembered the days of old” is the Creator. “Moses His people,” since Moses was tantamount to the whole of Israel. We learn from this that the people’s shepherd is really the whole people. If he is rewarded, the whole of the people is righteous; and if he is not rewarded, the whole of the people are not rewarded and are punished because of him.
69) “Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord.” You need not make war, for the Creator will make war for you, as it is written, “The Lord will fight for you, and you will keep silent.” On that night, the Creator assembled His company and sentenced the sentence of Israel. If the fathers did not pray for Israel first, they would not have been saved from the Din [judgment]. Jacob’s merit protected Israel, as it is written, “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side, let Israel now say.” This is Ysrael Saba, meaning Jacob.
(înapoi la pagina ZOHAR CUPRINS / BESHALACH – click)