v'-a-TAH ha-RAYM et ma-t'-KHA un-TAY et ya-d'-KHA al ha-YAM uv-ka-AY-hu v'-ya-VO-u v'-NAY yis-ra-AYL b'-TOKH ha-YAM ba-ya-ba-SHAH
Did the Israelites Cross the Red Sea or the Reed Sea?
After allowing the Jews to leave Egypt, Pharoah suffered a change of heart and gave chase. The situation seemed hopeless as the Jews stood trapped between the sea and the advancing Egyptian army composed of 600 chariots, horsemen, and warriors. The Jews despaired, questioning Moses and calling to return to slavery in Egypt. God told Moses to lead the people forward. Moses lifted up his staff, a strong east wind blew, and the sea split, allowing the Jews to pass through on dry land. God
stiffened the hearts’ of the Egyptians, causing them to follow the Jews into the sea. Once the Israelites crossed safely, Moses dropped his staff, closing the sea and drowning the Egyptians.
The Ramban asks how it was that the Egyptians, who had already witnessed the miraculous plagues, did not foresee the catastrophe that lay ahead of them. The Ramban explains that it was for this reason that God sent the wind; to give the appearance of a natural occurrence.
Roman Jewish historian Josephus Flavius speculated that the parting of the Red Sea “might be of God’s will or of natural origin. Let everyone believe at his own discretion.” Indeed, skeptics claim the miraculous splitting of the sea was no miracle but, rather, it was an incredibly timely natural phenomenon. Those who believe in God, however, understand that even what we call natural phenomena are the result of His divine will.
Splitting of Red Sea Recreated in Florida and Bahamas
A strange sight straight out of the Bible suddenly appeared
when the powerful winds of Hurricane Irma blew away the parts of the Atlantic Ocean, leaving behind swathes of land dry enough for the Children of Israel to tread upon.
