Measure for Measure and Pharaoh's Chariots Cast into the Sea

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 246:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Pharaoh's chariots and his host He has cast into the sea" (Exodus 15:4): By the measure with which a person measures, it is measured out to him. They said, "Who is the LORD that I should hearken to His voice?" (Exodus 5:2), and so You too measured out to them by that same measure; therefore it is said, "He has cast into the sea." One verse says "yarah" [He cast] and one verse says "ramah" [He hurled], and so on.

Themes

Divine JusticeSeaEgypt

Continue Reading

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben YochaiDid Pharaoh Drown in the Sea or Survive ItWhen the waters rolled back, the midrash insists that this was no ordinary tide. All the waters in the world returned at once, as if every sea on earth answeredYalkut Shimoni on TorahThree Deaths at the Sea by the Weight of Their WickednessThe Song of the Sea uses three different images for the drowning Egyptians. Some are tossed like straw on the surface, some go down like a stone, and some sink Book of JubileesJoseph Falsely Accused and Thrown Into PrisonBook of Jubilees turns to Joseph Falsely Accused and Thrown Into Prison. Our story picks up in the Book of Jubilees, specifically chapter 39. Now, the Book of JLetter of AristeasAlexandria and the DreamerI think it's worthwhile to share a copy of this ancient decree with you, because it really highlights the king's, shall we say, magnanimity. He was, as the textLetter of AristeasEgypt — Joseph the RulerMore often, it's a tale riddled with injustice, with power used to justify the unthinkable. The Letter of Aristeas, a fascinating document supposedly written inLegends of the JewsMoses in Pharaoh's Palace Feels His People's PainThe Torah portion of Shmot – Exodus – introduces us to Moses, arguably the greatest prophet in Judaism. But even before the burning bush, before the plagues, be