Why did Bil'am mention the fact that Keil took Yisrael out of Egypt?
Rashi and R. Bachye: To counter Balak's statement 1 "Hinei Am Yatza mi'Mitzrayim", as if they left Egypt of their own accord (but ?Keil? the strong G-d who took them out against the Mazal which predicted that they were destined to remain in Egypt for an extended period and who performed publicly signs and wonders on their behalf - R. Bachye).
Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim (both on Pasuk 20): It means that the One who took them out is strong. 2
In 22:5.
Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim: Since the word ?Eil? is an expression of strength, as in Yechezkel 17:13 - "ve'es Eilei ha'Aretz Lakach".
What is the meaning of "ke'So'afos Re'em Lo"?
Rashi #1: It means that He took them out of Egypt 'according to the power of His loftiness' 1 .
Rashi #2: It means that He took them out of Egypt as if He was flying on high. 2
Rashi #3, R. Bachye, Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim: It means that He took them out of Egypt with the might of Re'emim. 3 4
Rashi #4 (citing Gitin, 68b): It means that He took them out of Egypt with the might of demons.
Ramban (on Pasuk 21): It means that Hashem's superior strength over all nations is comparable to a Re'em's 5 superior strength over all other animals.
R. Bachye #2 (citing the Tanchuma): When Yisrael sin, Hashem lowers them like a bird 6 - which flies only slightly above the earth; but when He raises them, He raises them like a cloud - high above the earth, as the Navi writes in Yeshayah 23:18 ?Mi Eileh ke?Av Te?ufeah?. 7
Seforno: It means that Hashem gave them the strength of a Re'em, 8 which pushes with its horns, and not that of a lion, which tears its prey and eats it. 9
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means that Hashem took them out of Egypt and power and loftiness (praise and might - Targum Yonasan) belong to Him'.
Gitin, 68b: "ke'So'afos" refers to the angels; "Re'em" to the demons, whom Hashem appoints as His emissaries to do do His bidding. 10
Rashi: With connotations of a fortress, as in Iyov, 22:25.
Rashi: Which is a sign of strength.
See Zevachim 113b, which describes a Re?em. See also 'The Living Torah, which cites many opinions as to what a ?Re'em? is. See also Oznayim la?Torah.
Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim: He is many times stronger than a Re'em - Moreover, the Navi in Hoshe?a 11:10 compares Hashem to a lion - and these terms merely help us comprehend His superhuman strength, since there is nothing that can compare to Hashem at all (only ?the Torah speaks in human terminology? - R. Bachye).
Refer to note in the previous answer.
As the Navi writes in Hoshe?a 9:11 ?Efrayim ke?Of Yis?ofef Kevodm?.
Presumbly, R. Bachye means that this is hinted in the words ?ke?So?afos Re?em Lo?.
See note on answer #3.
Seforno: Since, when they left Egypt, Hashem intended them to expel the Cana'anim and to inherit their land without killing its inhabitants, as the Pasuk indicates in Tehilim, 80:9. See Seforno.
See Torah Temimah on 24:8, note 16.
