The sea walls were solid as a rock and formed a roof-like protection
over their heads. But say, you, your child or your animal got a little
thirsty, you could just push a cup into the walls and the salt water sea
would give you a fresh, sweet cup of water! When children began to cry,
Hashem made the walls of the tunnel produce fruit and sweetness
to comfort them. Vegetation grew out of the sea bed for the animals to
eat. The path was perfumed with pleasant fragrances from Gan
(Garden of) Eden.
Leave it to Hashem to think of under-water interior decorating
at a time like this! The watery walls formed a mosaic pattern and the fish swam freely.
And you could even wave to a friend over in the next shevet,
because the walls were perfectly transparent! The light from the pillar
of fire illuminated the path like sparkling chandeliers.
On this seventh day of Pesach, all the waters of the world
split; Rivers, cisterns, pits, and even water in pitchers, barrels and
bottles. The exception was the Jordan River, which reversed its course,
leaving its bed dry. The walls of water at the Red Sea were so high that
they were seen from a great distance, terrifying all the surrounding
nations. The sound of the splitting sea could be heard all over the
world.
Now, the Mitzriyim didn't exactly have the same
first-class sea-crossing experience: Remember that perfectly dry path? Well, it did indeed make a
murky, muddy finish for the Mitzriyim the moment those
chariots touched the sea bed! The mud became boiling hot from the
pillars of fire making the horses lose their hooves. Hashem
caused one wheel to be removed from each chariot. When the panicked
horses pulled these disabled war chariots, the heavy vehicles swung back
and forth, breaking bodies as they went. Many Mitzriyim fell
from their chariots, and were not able to get up again. Although it was
virtually impossible for the chariots to move with a single wheel, the
chariots were able to ride toward the closing waters. Even though the
sea bed was like mud, when the Mitzriyim fell on it, it was
like stone, breaking their bones. Stones, hail and fiery coals rained
down on the Mitzriyim from the sky, confusing the
Mitzriyim. Even their arrows and missiles misfired and
boomeranged back at them!
It was then that the walls of water came tumbling down! The
Mitzri soldiers who were most wicked were thrown violently into the air and back into
the depths of the sea, tossing and turning in the churning seas. Those
who were deserving of a more merciful death sunk like lead to the bottom
of the sea, quickly ending their lives. Not a single Mitzri
survived - and not a single Bnei Yisroel was harmed.
There was a great dispute between the sea and the land, neither of which
wanted to retain the bodies of the Mitzriyim. They kept on
throwing the Mitzriyim back and forth from sea to land to sea
to land like a rubber ball. Hashem finally convinced the land
to accept the Mitzriyim. Finally, the sea cast the corpses of
the entire Egyptian army - thousands of bodies - upon dry land for all
of Bnei Yisroel to bear witness. Hashem raised up the
land of Mitzrayim so that the survivors at home could see the
downfall of their armies. Though Mitzrayim is several days'
journey from the sea, those at home were able to see the faces of those
who were drowning. The Mitzriyim didn't die right away, they
were washed up on the beach half alive, to see the truth, that the
Bnei Yisroel had been delivered from the sea, alive and
healthy. Every Bnei Yisroel was able to spot his former master
there on the beach.
Although Pharoh was at the head of his troops, he was spared
by Hashem so he would be able to tell all the world
of Hashem's greatness. He did Teshuva, and
split from Egypt. He settled in Nineveh, where he became an
important leader, influential in their doing Teshuva
in the time of Jonah.
Even the sick, weary and crippled Bnei Yisroel were able to
keep pace with the entire group. Not only were the lives of the Bnei
Yisroel spared, but they did not lose any of their belongings in
the sea. And here's a dividend that no one would expect...when the sea
washed up the Mitzriyim, it also washed up all the treasures
they had taken with them into battle. Bnei Yisroel gained even more treasure than they had taken when they left Mitzrayim. Now the promise that Hashem made to Avrohom was complete: Bnei Yisroel now had ALL the riches of Mitzrayim.
Hashem restored Yaakov Avinu back to life to witness the
miracle of the Red Sea. Hashem showed him the Mitzriyim lying there. Others say, Hashem resurrected ALL three
Avot, and stood them at the bank of the Red Sea to see the
great miracle. The Bnei Yisroel were carrying all 12 of
Yaakov's sons with them to bury in Eretz Yisroel. All 12 sons
were resurrected to see the miracle of the Red Sea.
Hashem resurrected all three Avot - Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov - and
all twelve of Yaakov's sons to bear witness to the fulfillment of the
promise He made to them so long ago. Indeed, Hashem had taken these
strangers out from a strange land where they had toiled for so many
years and made them a free (and very wealthy) nation!
