Parashat Beshallach (Exodus 13:17 - 17:16)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

This week it is Parashat Beshallach, Exodus 13:17 - 17:16. We have had the 10 plagues and the Israelites have picked up their belongings and the gifts of the Egyptians and have moved out of Goshen. They are on their way to a place they do not know and a destiny that most could not imagine.

As soon as the Israelites get out of Egypt they immediately want to go back. Why? Does this have anything to do with the fact they have been slaves for so long? Why?
Pharaoh brings 300 men on chariots and tradition tells us that there were at least 600,000 Israelites who left. Why were the people so afraid (they've got 'em outnumbered like a zillion to one)? Moses tells the people, (Ex. 14:14) "God will fight for you, and you will be silent." If there are so many more Israelites, why did they need Him to fight for them? Will they really be silent after this event?
The Torah does not tell us specifically whether or not Pharaoh drowned with his people. Do you think he did? Why or why not? Would it have been worse for him to see his people die or to die with them? How is this like the plagues?
One of the first stops the Israelites make is at Marah, the place of bitter water. They immediately begin to complain. Why? Why do you think they just couldn't show 100% faith in God? Do you know of other times when the people will complain?
Why are there ten plagues? Why not five? Why not thirty? What is so special about the number ten? Why didn't Moses do all ten by himself? Why do you think God had Aaron do some of them?