And whence do you derive (the same for) the upper and the

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Vayehi Beshalach 5:19

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 11, 2025

And whence do you derive (the same for) the upper and the lower waters and the depths? From (Psalms 77:17) "The waters saw You, O G–d; the waters saw You and quaked. The depths quaked as well." "The waters saw You"—These are the waters crossed by Israel, which dried up at the word of the Holy One Blessed be He, viz. (Ibid. 114:3) "The sea saw and fled." "the waters saw You and quaked"—These are the upper waters. "The depths quaked as well"—These are the lower waters. And thus is it written (Ibid. 77:18) "Clouds streamed water; the heavens rumbled"—These are the upper waters. (Ibid.) "Your gravels, too, went out"—These are the lower waters. And it is written (Habakkuk 3:10) "The depths have raised their voice, etc." And when they (the waters of the Red Sea) returned to their place, all the waters of the world followed suit, as it is written (Exodus 14:28) "And the waters returned"—All of the waters in the world returned to their places.

Themes

Miracles Death Charity Holy Land

Biblical References

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