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.