In the famous recount of the story of Shoftim 4-5 linked to this Gemoro there is also much comparison to the Parshah of Beshalach and Yetzias Mitzraim
I have a question on just 1 particular point. Why does the Gemoro say that H will repay the Yam Suf "One and a half times" at the Nachal Kishon ie the Chiluk of the 600 Chariots of Paroah as opposed to the 900 Chariots of Sisera .Why Davka 1 and half as opposed to twice as much Kefel or any other figure. Do you know if there is any significance in the Gemoro saying this fraction as the Sechar for the Yam Suf more than any other figure
Boruch Kahan London
1. Your reference is to the Yalkut Reuveni (compiled by a grandson of the Kli Yakar) on Parshas Beshalach #38, in the name of the Megaleh Amukos (written by Rav Nasan Shapira zt'l of Krakow), "Ofen 89":
"At the parting of Yam Suf, there were 600 chariots which were repaid [later] at the Kishon River by 900 chariots. This is 'Shelish mile'Bar'."
(This refers to an "external third." 900 is greater than 600 by one third of the ensuing total (one third of 900 is 600.)
"This is hinted to in Shemos 14:7, which relates that Pharaoh took 600 chariots and concludes 'v'Shalishim Al Kulo' -- and Shalishim (thirds) over all of them." This hints to the fact that one third (Shelish mile'Bar) was added to the 600 of Pharaoh, and the Kishon River received 900."
2. For an answer to your question, see Ben Yehoyada (by the Ben Ish Chai), the first piece on Pesachim 118b (DH Sham A'B Ani Nosen).
3. Here is a different answer I thought of to explain the significance of one and a half:
a. The Mishnah in Kesuvos (66a) states that if the bride commits herself before the wedding to contribute 1000 to her husband, the bridegroom in turn writes in the Kesuvah that he has to give her 1500. Rashi (DH Hu) writes that since the husband invests and profits from her 1000, he must return 1500. The Rif cites the Yerushalmi that since the husband will do business with the money, he will make one and a half times profit.
One sees from this that if one receives capital with which to do business, one can expect to make a 50% profit.
b. In our Gemara, the Yam Suf did not want to lose the Mitzriyim, because the bodies were Parnasah for the fish. It agreed in the end only because Nachal Kishon became a guarantor. If one loses one's capital and someone else is doing business with it, he has to return 150%. Therefore, Nachal Kishon received 900 in return for 600.
Kol Tuv,
Dovid Bloom