A Three Day Journey?

Points of Dispute

These are some of the central points of dispute (נקודות המחלוקת) between the various exegetes:

  • Purpose of deception
    • There was no deception – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Chizkuni, R. Bachya
    • So Paroh would give permission for the Israelites to go temporarily – Rashbam
    • For Paroh to drown in Yam Suf – Shemot Rabbah, Rashi, Lekach Tov, Ran
    • To despoil the Egyptians and for them to drown – Ibn Ezra, Netziv
    • To show Paroh's stubbornness – Sefer HaNitzachon, Akeidat Yitzchak, Abarbanel, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah
    • The Children of Israel would not have wanted to go forever – Ramban
    • Moshe would not have dared to ask Paroh to go forever – Shadal
  • Permissibility of deception in such a case
    • Permitted – Rashbam, Shadal
    • Moshe didn't outright lie but there was deception – Ibn Ezra
    • There was no deception – R"Y Bekhor Shor, Chizkuni, R. Bachya, Sefer HaNitzachon, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah, Netziv
  • Paroh's permission at the Exodus
    • Permanent freedom – Sefer HaNitzachon, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah, Netziv
    • Temporary leave for religious worship – most commentators
  • Why did Paroh chase after the Israelites?
    • The Israelites didn't come back after three days – Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Shemot Rabbah, Rashi, Lekach Tov, Ibn Ezra, Ran
    • Paroh received false reports that the Israelites had fled – R"Y Bekhor Shor
    • The Israelites appeared vulnerable – Netziv, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah
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