(Exodus 14 — 22) "And the children of Israel came in the

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Vayehi Beshalach 6:1

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 17, 2025

(Exodus 14:22) "And the children of Israel came in the midst of the sea on the dry land": R. Meir perceives it one way; R. Yehudah, another. R. Meir: When the tribes were standing at the sea, each said: I will go first. In the midst of the hue and cry, Benjamin sprang first into the sea, as it is written (Psalms 68:28-29) "There, Benjamin, the young (i.e., the youngest of the tribes) rodem, the princes of Judah rigmatham, the princes of Zevulun, and princes of Naftali. Your G–d has commanded your strength. Be strong, O G–d,—this (strength which) You have wrought for us!" Read it not "rodem," but "rad yam" ("went down into the sea")—whereupon Judah began to stone them ("rigmatham"), viz. "the princes of Judah rigmatham."

Themes

Charity Holy Land Tribes Egypt Exodus

Biblical References

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