Moshe's Killing of the Egyptian

Points of Dispute

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

  • Meaning of "מַכֶּה"
    • Beating to death – Vayikra Rabbah, Shemot Rabbah, Divrei HaYamim LeMoshe Rabbeinu, HaKorem, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah.
    • Standard hitting of a slave – Rashi, RDZ Hoffmann, Cassuto.
  • "וַיַּרְא כִּי אֵין אִישׁ"
    • No Egyptian witnesses – R"Y Bekhor Shor.
    • No Egyptian authority to which one could appeal – Netziv.
    • No Israelites offering assistance – Binah LaIttim, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah.
  • View of Moshe's summary justice
    • Moshe had a direct hotline or served as an agent of the Divine court – Avot DeRabbi Natan, Shemot Rabbah, Midrash Tehillim, Malbim in explaining Rambam.
    • Moshe qualified as a human judge – Rashba.
    • Hot tempered vigilante style – Midrash Petirat Moshe, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, R. Menachem Tziyoni.
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