Question: Why did god kill the Egyptians when the Israelites were crossing the Red Sea?

Answer: Thank you for asking this question. In order to really understand the situation well one really needs to study it with the classic commentators. If you are looking for some advice as to who’s commentary to study I would recommend reading Rashi, the classic Torah commentator and also if you want to get a different, more modern, yet very powerful perspective read Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch.

Anyway, the short answer to this question is that we have to understand that the battle here was not a simple one. This is not really just a story about an oppressed people that wanted to go free and were able to actualize their dream because of a dynamic leader. This was the realization of a Divine plan, the victory of good over evil in the realist sense and seen by the the entire world as such. This is why it is so vital to read commentary with the Torah because you don’t get this perspective from Cecile B. DeMille.

When the Jews crossed the sea this was also a Divine gift. The water was like walls on both sides with tunnels flowing through them and amazing miracles happening throughout the occurrence. Again, not cited in the movie. When the merit of the Jewish people was no longer within the waters the waters no longer had Divine intervention to make them act against the laws of nature and, naturally, they fell.

The Egyptians died, says our holy Midrash, in the same manner that they treated the Jews. If a man was a slave master who beat the Jews then he died being thrown around the water, etc.

This is a sign of perfect justice. The Jews were on their way to receive the law at Mount Sinai. Every aspect of their exodus was building them up as a nation and preparing them for what was to come. This was no exception.

I hope this helps. I highly suggest reading this part of the Torah with Rashi and Rabbi Hirsch. I think that it will open up your eyes and inspire you to want to learn the rest of the Torah with the same breadth.

Be Well,
Rabbi Litt