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Exodus 14:13 - Trust in divine salvation

Exodus 14:13 - שמות 14:13

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־הָעָם אַל־תִּירָאוּ הִתְיַצְבוּ וּרְאוּ אֶת־יְשׁוּעַת יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂה לָכֶם הַיּוֹם כִּי אֲשֶׁר רְאִיתֶם אֶת־מִצְרַיִם הַיּוֹם לֹא תֹסִיפוּ לִרְאֹתָם עוֹד עַד־עוֹלָם׃

English Translation

And Moshe said to the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show you today: for as you have seen Miżrayim this day, you shall not see them again any more for ever.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Moshe el-ha'am al-tira'u hit'yatzvu ur'u et-yeshuat Adonai asher-ya'aseh lakhem hayom ki asher re'item et-Mitzrayim hayom lo tosifu lir'otam od ad-olam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶל־הָעָם֮ אַל־תִּירָ֒אוּ֒ הִֽתְיַצְּב֗וּ וּרְאוּ֙ אֶת־יְשׁוּעַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם כִּ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר רְאִיתֶ֤ם אֶת־מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם לֹ֥א תֹסִ֛פוּ לִרְאֹתָ֥ם ע֖וֹד עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶל־הָעָם֮ אַל־תִּירָ֒אוּ֒ הִֽתְיַצְּב֗וּ וּרְאוּ֙ אֶת־יְשׁוּעַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם כִּ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר רְאִיתֶ֤ם אֶת־מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם לֹ֥א תֹסִ֛פוּ לִרְאֹתָ֥ם ע֖וֹד עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 14:13) is spoken by Moshe to Bnei Yisrael at the shores of the Yam Suf (Red Sea), as they are trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the sea. The people are gripped with fear, and Moshe reassures them of Hashem's imminent salvation.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that Moshe's words "אַל־תִּירָאוּ" ("Fear not") were directed at the people's fear of the approaching Egyptian army. He emphasizes that the phrase "הִתְיַצְבוּ" ("stand still") means they should stand firm in their faith and not flee, for Hashem will fight for them. Rashi also notes that "וּרְאוּ אֶת־יְשׁוּעַת יְהוָה" ("see the salvation of the Lord") refers to the miraculous splitting of the sea, which would demonstrate Hashem's power and deliverance.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 8:1) discusses the concept of divine miracles and how they serve to strengthen emunah (faith). Here, the salvation at the Yam Suf was a foundational event to instill absolute trust in Hashem's providence, as Moshe directs the people to witness His intervention directly.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 21:5) elaborates that the phrase "כִּי אֲשֶׁר רְאִיתֶם אֶת־מִצְרַיִם הַיּוֹם" ("for as you have seen Egypt this day") implies that the Egyptians would be utterly destroyed, never to rise again as a threat.
  • Another Midrash (Mechilta Beshalach 3) teaches that the people were divided into four groups: some wanted to return to Egypt, others to fight, some to pray, and others to surrender. Moshe's command unified them in faith.

Ibn Ezra's Commentary

Ibn Ezra highlights the immediacy of the salvation ("הַיּוֹם"—"today"), stressing that the redemption would happen swiftly, without delay. He also interprets "לֹא תֹסִיפוּ לִרְאֹתָם עוֹד עַד־עוֹלָם" ("you shall not see them again forever") as a promise that the Egyptian threat would be permanently eradicated.

Chassidic Interpretation

The Sefat Emet teaches that "הִתְיַצְבוּ" ("stand still") symbolizes the need for inner stability and bitachon (trust) in Hashem, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. The physical salvation at the Yam Suf also reflects a spiritual lesson: true deliverance comes through unwavering faith.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 10b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing divine salvation and the miracles performed for Israel, emphasizing God's power and protection.
📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the splitting of the Red Sea and the faith of the Israelites during that event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord' mean in Exodus 14:13?
A: Moshe is reassuring Bnei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) not to panic as they face the Red Sea with the Egyptians chasing them. 'Stand still' means to have faith and trust in Hashem's deliverance, rather than trying to flee or fight on their own. Rashi explains that Moshe was telling them to stop crying out in fear and instead witness the miracle Hashem would perform for them.
Q: Why did Moshe say 'you shall not see them (the Egyptians) again' in Exodus 14:13?
A: Moshe was assuring the people that this would be their final encounter with the Egyptians. According to the Midrash (Mechilta), this was a promise that after the splitting of the sea, the Egyptians would no longer pose a threat—either physically or spiritually—as they would be completely defeated. This marked the end of their slavery and oppression.
Q: How can we apply the message of 'Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord' in our lives today?
A: This verse teaches us to trust in Hashem during difficult times instead of giving in to fear. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot) explains that true bitachon (trust in G-d) means recognizing that everything comes from Hashem. When facing challenges, we should strengthen our faith, pray, and believe that Hashem will guide us—just as He did for Bnei Yisrael at the Red Sea.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'the salvation of the Lord' in this verse?
A: The 'salvation of the Lord' refers to the miraculous splitting of the Red Sea, which was entirely an act of divine intervention. The Talmud (Sotah 36b) describes how this miracle surpassed nature, showing Hashem's direct protection of His people. It serves as a reminder that ultimate deliverance comes from Hashem, not human effort.
Q: Why did Moshe emphasize 'today' when speaking of Hashem's salvation?
A: Moshe stressed 'today' to show that Hashem's salvation was immediate and not delayed. The Kli Yakar explains that this was to strengthen their faith in the present moment—assuring them they wouldn’t have to wait long to see miracles. This teaches us that divine help can come at any moment, especially when we place our trust in Hashem.