שמות, פרק י״ד, פסוק כ״ו

The climax of the miraculous rescue arrives as a profound turning point. The very waters that served as a protective pathway for the Israelites now transform into the ultimate instrument of justice against their pursuers. This serves as a measure for measure punishment for the Egyptians, who had previously cast Israelite children into the waters of the Nile [קאסוטו].

This dramatic shift occurs precisely as the Israelites finish crossing and stand safely on the opposite shore [רשב״ם]. At this exact moment, God instructs Moses to stretch out his hand, notably omitting the use of his staff. This deliberate choice serves to silence critics who mocked Moses, claiming his abilities were entirely dependent on his staff. By using his hand alone, Moses proves his inherent greatness and the true power granted to him as God's devoted servant [רא״ש].

One might wonder why a deliberate action is required to return the sea to its normal state, rather than the waters simply flowing back on their own. Commentators offer several layers of understanding. One perspective suggests that the initial splitting established an entirely new law of nature, causing the water to stand upright and the ocean floor to rise. Reversing this new reality and restoring the original laws of nature requires a second, distinct miracle [מלבי״ם]. Similarly, a spiritual principle dictates that a reality established by a formal decree requires an equal and opposite decree to undo it [אור החיים].

There is also a practical concern. Without a clear signal, the sea might remain split for the pursuing Egyptians. Stretching out the hand formally signals to the sea that its protective mission has ended [אור החיים]. Furthermore, the miraculous alteration temporarily weakened the sea's natural force. Left to itself, the water would have returned gradually, giving the Egyptians time to escape. The deliberate motion awakens the sea to instantly regain its full strength, ensuring a complete and inescapable closure [אור החיים]. Finally, since Moses initiated the disruption of the sea, it is fitting that his hand be the instrument to heal it and restore its natural balance [אור החיים].

The physical return of the waters does not happen like a slow, rising tide. Instead, the towering walls of water collapse from above all at once, crashing down to cover everything beneath them [רש״י, גור אריה, דברי דוד]. This involves two simultaneous actions. First, the depths that had previously floated upward to create a solid walking path sink back down, creating a vast void. Instantly, the upright walls of water collapse into that empty space [ביאור יש״ר, רא״ש].

The specific sequence of the disaster reveals exactly how the water strikes the pursuers. The waters begin to return somewhat gradually at the outer edges, meaning the masses of Egyptian commoners who entered the sea last are the first to feel the shift. Moments later, the water crashes down with absolute force, completely engulfing the chariots and horsemen who form the vanguard deep within the sea [העמק דבר].