Israel Strikes the Egyptian Escorts and Turns Back Free

"The children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, and from Succoth to Etham, and from Etham to before Pi-hahiroth." They journeyed on the eve of Sabbath, and the Sabbath, and the first day of the week. On the second day of the week, which was the fourth of their journeying, Israel began to repair their gear and ready their animals to depart. The escort officers said to them: The time set in your decree to return to Egypt has arrived, as it is said, "a journey of three days" (Exodus 5:3). Israel said to them: When we went out, by whose leave did we go out? As it is said, "on the morrow of the Passover" (Numbers 33:3). The escort officers said to them: Willing or unwilling, in the end you will fulfill the words of the kingdom. Israel rose up against them, struck some of them, wounded some of them, and killed some of them. They went and told Pharaoh. Moses said to them: Turn back. Once the horn was sounded for return, the men of little faith among Israel began to tear at their hair and rend their garments, until Moses said to them: From the mouth of the Holy One, blessed be He, it was said to me that you are free men. Therefore it is said, "and they shall encamp before Pi-hahiroth." "Between Migdol and the sea." There was the greatness of Egypt, there was their glory, there was their place of distinction. There Joseph gathered the silver and the gold, as in the matter that is said, "and Joseph collected" (Genesis 47:14). "Before Baal-zephon": it remained from all the objects of fear, in order to entice the heart of the Egyptians. Of it He says, "He enlarges the nations and destroys them" (Job 12:23). "Opposite it you shall encamp by the sea," in order to entice the heart of the Egyptians. "And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel: They are entangled in the land" (Exodus 14:3). Nevukhim (entangled) means nothing other than bewildered, as it is said, "how the beasts groan, the herds of cattle are bewildered" (Joel 1:18).