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Numbers 33:3 - Exodus begins with Passover's dawn

Numbers 33:3 - במדבר 33:3

Hebrew Text

וַיִּסְעוּ מֵרַעְמְסֵס בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן מִמָּחֳרַת הַפֶּסַח יָצְאוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּיָד רָמָה לְעֵינֵי כָּל־מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And they departed from Ra῾meses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Yisra᾽el went out with a high hand in the sight of all Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Vayis'u me-Ra'amses ba-chodesh ha-rishon ba-chamisha asar yom la-chodesh ha-rishon mi-mochorat ha-Pesach yatz'u vnei-Yisra'el be-yad ramah le-einei kol-Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּסְע֤וּ מֵֽרַעְמְסֵס֙ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֔וֹן בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן מִֽמׇּחֳרַ֣ת הַפֶּ֗סַח יָצְא֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּיָ֣ד רָמָ֔ה לְעֵינֵ֖י כׇּל־מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיִּסְע֤וּ מֵֽרַעְמְסֵס֙ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֔וֹן בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן מִֽמׇּחֳרַ֣ת הַפֶּ֗סַח יָצְא֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּיָ֣ד רָמָ֔ה לְעֵינֵ֖י כׇּל־מִצְרָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Departure from Ra'amses

The verse describes the Israelites' departure from Ra'amses on the 15th of Nisan, the day after the Passover offering. Rashi (on Numbers 33:3) explains that the phrase "מִמָּחֳרַת הַפֶּסַח" ("on the morrow after the Passover") refers to the day after the Korban Pesach was brought, which was the first day of Chag HaMatzot. The departure occurred in broad daylight ("בְּיָד רָמָה"—"with a high hand"), demonstrating Hashem's open miracle and the Egyptians' inability to stop them.

The Significance of the Date

The 15th of Nisan marks the beginning of the Exodus, a foundational event in Jewish history. The Rambam (Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah 7:1) emphasizes that this date was divinely appointed, as it fulfilled the promise made to Avraham Avinu at the Brit Bein HaBetarim (Covenant Between the Parts). The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 18:12) adds that the Israelites left with great confidence ("בְּיָד רָמָה"), as if they were victors, not fleeing slaves.

The Egyptians' Witness

The phrase "לְעֵינֵי כָּל־מִצְרָיִם" ("in the sight of all Egypt") highlights that the Exodus was a public display of Hashem's power. The Talmud (Sotah 11a) teaches that the Egyptians, despite their suffering, were compelled to acknowledge the truth of Hashem's sovereignty. The Ibn Ezra notes that this public departure ensured no false claims could arise that the Israelites escaped secretly.

Spiritual Lessons

  • Emunah (Faith): The open miracle reinforced the Israelites' trust in Hashem, as explained by the Ramban (on Exodus 13:16).
  • Geulah (Redemption): The Sforno teaches that the Exodus set a precedent for future redemptions, showing that Hashem intervenes in history for His people.
  • Zechirah (Remembrance): The Mechilta (Bo 13) states that this event is eternally commemorated through the mitzvah of Sippur Yetziat Mitzrayim (retelling the Exodus).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 11a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the timing of the Exodus from Egypt, particularly concerning the date of the 15th of Nisan.
📖 Megillah 10b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the miracles associated with the Exodus, emphasizing the 'high hand' with which the Israelites left Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that the Israelites left Egypt 'with a high hand'?
A: The phrase 'with a high hand' (בְּיָד רָמָה) means the Israelites left Egypt boldly and triumphantly, as Rashi explains. This shows they were not fleeing in secret but departing with G-d's protection and with the Egyptians unable to stop them, as seen in the Exodus narrative.
Q: Why did the Israelites leave Egypt the day after Passover?
A: The Israelites left on the 15th of Nisan, the day after the first Passover, because the Exodus was the fulfillment of the Passover promise. The Seder night (Passover) was their protection from the final plague, and the next day marked their physical liberation, as described in the Torah and emphasized in the Haggadah.
Q: What is the significance of the Israelites leaving on the 15th of Nisan?
A: The 15th of Nisan is the first day of Passover and the beginning of the Exodus, one of the most important events in Jewish history. This date is eternally significant as it marks our birth as a nation, as the Rambam teaches, and is commemorated every year through the Passover holiday and Seder.
Q: Why does the Torah mention that the Israelites left 'in the sight of all Egypt'?
A: The Torah emphasizes that the Exodus happened openly ('in the sight of all Egypt') to show that the Egyptians, despite their power, could not prevent it. The Midrash explains that this public display proved G-d's supremacy and fulfilled His promise to redeem Israel with great miracles.
Q: How does this verse connect to the Passover holiday today?
A: This verse is the biblical source for the timing of Passover and the Exodus story we retell at the Seder. As the Talmud (Pesachim) discusses, we are commanded to remember the Exodus daily, and this verse anchors the historical event that Passover celebrates—our ancestors' miraculous departure from Egypt.