Table for Five: Beshalach
One verse, five voices. Edited by Salvador Litvak, the Accidental Talmudist
It came to pass when Pharaoh let the people go, that God did not lead them [by] way of the land of the Philistines for it was near, because God said, Lest the people reconsider when they see war and return to Egypt. -Ex. 13:17
Rabbi Elchanan Shoff
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“God didn’t lead them [by] way of the land of the Philistines ki karov hu.” “For it was near” is certainly a fair translation of “ki karov hu.” Daas Zekenim, a medieval commentary on Torah offers another reading. “Ki karov hu,” actually means, “because he (Israel) is [His] close relative.” They cite Psalms (148:14) “the Israelites, His nation, [His] close relative.”