תהלים, פרק ע״ח, פסוק י״ג

The splitting of the Red Sea was not a single, uniform event, but a carefully orchestrated sequence of divine interventions. These actions reveal both God's absolute control over the natural world and His moral leadership. Following the plagues and wonders in Egypt, God parts the sea for the Israelites and guides them safely through the water [רד״ק, המאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The physical breaking of the sea is a display of raw miraculous power, while the act of leading the people along the dry path highlights God's deep mercy and kindness [מלבי״ם].

The sequence of these events unfolds in an unexpected way. Logically, the water should first stand upright like a wall, allowing the people to cross afterward. Yet, the crossing occurs before the water is made to stand firm. Commentators offer two main views to explain this order, both reflecting God's active involvement while the Israelites were inside the sea. One approach suggests that the sea was filled with anger toward the Israelites because of their sins, seeking to wash over them and drown them as they walked. To protect them, God actively forced the water to stand still, blocking the sea and preventing it from collapsing on the people during their journey [אלשיך].

Another perspective argues that the towering walls of water were actually formed for the sake of the pursuing Egyptians. God created an impressive, stable wall of water to lure the Egyptian army into daring to enter the seabed after the Israelites. This reflects God's strict justice, setting a trap to punish the Egyptians measure for measure and drown them for their wickedness [מלבי״ם].

Ultimately, this event required a complete suspension of the laws of nature. The water was gathered and held in place, forming a massive, towering heap [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. God stopped the rushing waters, preventing them from flowing their normal course so that they froze and stood as a mighty wall [מצודת דוד].