Wheels of Fire and the Measure That Reaches Every Oppressor

"He removed the wheels of his chariots" (Exodus 14). Rabbi Yehudah says: because of the fire from above, the wheels below were burned, and the chariot shafts kept running and entering against their will, for they were laden with silver and gold and precious stones and pearls, so that Israel might take the spoil. Rabbi Nehemiah says: because of the thunder from above, the channels below were torn loose, as it is said, "The voice of Your thunder was in the wheel; lightning lit up the world; [the earth quaked and shook]" (Psalms 77:19), and the chariot shafts kept running and entering against their will, laden with silver and gold and precious stones and pearls, so that Israel might take the spoil. "And He drove them heavily." By the measure they measured, He measured to them. They had said, "Let the labor be heavy" (Exodus 5:9); so You by that same measure measured to them, "And He drove them heavily." Formerly the mules drew the chariots; now the chariot drew the mules. "And He drove them heavily." Rabbi Yehudah son of Rabbi Shimon says: because the Egyptians all went out on horses, therefore the Holy One, blessed be He, set up for them horses of fire in the sea, and these would strike all the mules and turn them back toward the dry land, and the wheels would drive them back into the sea; therefore it says, "And He drove them heavily." Rabbi Meir says: when the Holy One, blessed be He, revealed Himself upon the Egyptians at the sea, He came up against them with ninety thousand myriads of angels of destruction—among them angels of trembling, angels of quaking, angels of hail, angels of flame—and shuddering would seize whoever saw them. They said before Him: Master of the universe, leave it to us and we will carry out Your will against Egypt. He said to them: My mind is not eased until I Myself exact payment from the enemies of Israel; therefore it says, "And He drove them heavily." "And Egypt said, Let me flee from before Israel." The foolish among them said: from these wretched and downtrodden ones are we fleeing? The clever among them said: He who fought for them in Egypt will work miracles for them at all times. Rabbi Yose says: from where do you say that the blows they were struck at the sea were of the same kind as the blows in Egypt? As it is said, "For the LORD fights for them against Egypt"—of the same kind as the blows in Egypt. And it says, "These are the gods who struck Egypt with every blow in the wilderness" (1 Samuel 4:8). And not in Egypt alone, but against all who oppress them until the end of all generations; and so it says, "He drove His foes backward; He put them to everlasting disgrace" (Psalms 78:66). Thus not in Egypt alone but against all who oppress them until the end of all generations; therefore it says, "For the LORD fights for them against Egypt."