2021/5781
“VaYasar Eit Ofen Mercavto VaYanheighu BeChveidut VaYomer Mitzrayim Anusah MiPnei Yisrael Ki Hashem Nilcham Lahem BeMitzrayim,” “Hashem removed the wheels of their chariots, and they rode slowly. So Egypt said, ‘We must flee from Israel, for Hashem is fighting against Egypt for them’” (Shemot 14:25)
Why did Hashem remove the chariot wheels? Couldn't Hashem just have drowned the Egyptians? What difference do the wheels make? Moreover, it sounds like this miracle is what caused the Egyptians to despair. What was so amazing about this specific miracle that the Egyptians gave up?
The Ba’alei Tosafot ask another question: According to the Pesukim, Bnei Yisrael were in a place called Eitam before and after they passed through the Red Sea! They made a semicircle, going in and coming out on the same side. So why did they go into the sea if not to pass through?
Explains the Chizkuni, the purpose of going into the Red Sea was only to lead the Egyptians into it so they would then drown. Bnei Yisrael’s sole reason for entering was to lead the Egyptians to their doom.
The Mechilta explains that ten miracles occurred at the Reed Sea, and one of them was that the sea split into twelve paths - one for each tribe. If there were twelve paths, and the Egyptians followed Bnei Yisrael down every path, then the Egyptians who were on the innermost part of the semicircle would reach the other side before Bnei Yisrael on the outermost circle. To prevent that scenario, Hashem made the wheels fall off from the Egyptians Chariots. The wheeless chariot’s were effectively slowed down so the Egyptians on the innermost circle wouldn’t reach the other side of the sea before Bnei Yisrael.
Interestingly, the Torah refers to a wheel (in the singular), Ofen. If it were true that the two front wheels both came off, the Egyptians may have been able to continue riding forward with the drag of their front axles. However, removing only one wheel caused the vehicles to spin out of control, so they would be unsuccessful in their pursuit of Am Yisrael.