שמות, פרק י״ב, פסוק נ״א

The departure from Egypt marks more than just the end of a long, bitter period of slavery. It serves as the true starting point of the Israelites as an organized nation placed directly under God's leadership. This moment caps the story of the final plague and links the dramatic redemption to the ongoing duties that would shape future generations.

Although this moment appears to repeat an event mentioned earlier in the story, the primary approach among commentators is that it acts as a bridge to the upcoming instructions. On the exact day they left, God told the people to dedicate their firstborns to Him. This act serves as an expression of gratitude to God for sparing the Israelite firstborns during the final plague [אבן עזרא, רשב״ם, רלב״ג, חזקוני, קאסוטו]. Others view the repetition as a way to clarify the timeline. During the night, Pharaoh finally granted the Israelites permission to leave, effectively making them free people. However, the actual physical march out of Egyptian territory took place in the clear light of day [רמב״ן, כלי יקר, הטור הארוך].

Placing the departure right after the laws of the Passover offering highlights a crucial idea: the very act of performing God's will is what finalized their freedom. Without the merit of fulfilling this duty, they could not have been saved [אור החיים]. By keeping these early instructions, particularly the Passover offering and circumcision, the Israelites began to realize their ultimate purpose in the world [העמק דבר]. Furthermore, earlier descriptions note that certain groups, like the mixed multitude of outsiders, simply left on their own. In contrast, when it comes to the Israelites themselves, the narrative stresses that God actively brought them out [כלי יקר, העמק דבר].

The exact nature of the nation's massive camp as they marched out is viewed from a few distinct angles. One perspective suggests that the Israelites left alongside a broader multitude, which included the women and the foreign groups who chose to join them [רמב״ן]. Another approach argues that the description focuses on their formation. Rather than fleeing as a chaotic, panicked mob, they marched out in a highly organized, military-like structure divided by groups and families [העמק דבר, חזקוני, רש״ר הירש]. Finally, a third view focuses on leadership: God Himself was positioned over their ranks, guiding them forward as a military commander through the pillars of cloud and fire [שד״ל].