“With this Aaron shall come into the Sanctuary: with a young bull as a sin offering, and a ram as a burnt offering” (Leviticus 16:3). “With this Aaron shall come” – that is what is written: “Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? [The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?]” (Psalms 27:1). Rabbi Elazar interpreted the verse regarding the sea.
“My light” – at the sea, as it is stated: “It illuminated the night” (Exodus 14:20). “And my salvation” – “stand and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13). “Whom shall I fear?” – “Moses said to the people: Fear not” (Exodus 14:13). “The Lord is the stronghold [maoz] of my life” – “the Lord is my strength [ozi] and my song” (Exodus 15:2).
“Of whom shall I be afraid?” – “may terror and fear descend upon them” (Exodus 15:16). “When evildoers approach me” (Psalms 27:2) – “Pharaoh approached” (Exodus 14:10). “To consume my flesh” (Psalms 27:2) – “the enemy said: I will pursue, [I will overtake…my desire shall be satisfied through them]” (Exodus 15:9). Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: The wicked one does not depart from the world until he utters his punishment from his mouth.
“The enemy said: I will pursue...” – it does not say: “My hand will dispossess them [torishem]” but rather, “torishemo” (Exodus 15:9); I will bequeath [morish] my wealth and glory to them. “My foes and my adversaries are mine [it is they who stumble and fall]” (Psalms 27:2) – “He tossed Pharaoh and his army [in the Red Sea]” (Psalms 136:15). From here on, Israel said: “If a camp” (Psalms 27:3) of Egyptians “besieges me, my heart will not fear” (Psalms 27:3).
If war” (Psalms 27:3) with Egypt “comes upon me, in this I will put my trust” (Psalms 27:3); in that which You promised me, as it is stated: “The Lord will wage war on your behalf” (Exodus 14:14).