What is the meaning of the word "Nashafta"?
Rashi and Ramban #2: It means that Hashem blew. 1
Ramban #1 (citing Ibn Ezra): It means that Hashem covered the water over the Egyptians at night-time. 2
Rashi (to Menachos 53a), Ramban #3 and Targum Yonasan: It means Hashem blew, as if it had written 'Nashavta.' 3
Rashi: As in Yeshayah 40:24.
Ibn Ezra: From the term "Neshef" (night-time).
Since a 'Fey' and a 'Veis' are interchangeable (See for example, Mishnah Pe'ah 6:1; and Yo'el 1:17. See also Rashi to Bereishis 15:11.
Hashem caused the water to congeal with "the breath of His nostrils" (15:8). How did He cause the water to melt?
Ramban and Seforno: Hashem miraculously performed both actions using the same breath!
Hadar Zekenim: He caused the water to melt and crash down on the Egyptians with the Breath of His Mouth - a double miracle. 1
Hadar Zekenim: Since normally, breath from the mouth is cold, and from the nose is hot. Here, the verse describes Hashem's [hot] breath from the nose froze the water, and His [cold] breath from the mouth melted the frozen water.
To whom does the description "Adirim" pertain?
Rashbam: It describes the (turbulent) water.
Menachos 53a and Mechilta: Hashem, Who is called 'Adir,' 1 caused Yisrael, who are called 'Adirim,' 2 to be paid from (by punishing) the Egyptians, who are called here 'Adirim', 3 to sink like lead in the water, which is called 'Adirim.' 4
Seforno: It refers to the officers and heads of the Egyptian army.
In Tehilim 93:4.
In Tehilim 16:3.
See Torah Temimah, note 18. Mishnah Berurah (51:17, citing the Pri Megadim): The note under "b'Mayim" is a 'Tipecha,' to show that it is not connected to the word "Adirim" - and one must therefore pause between them. (Some ask that likewise, in 15:14 below, there is a 'Tipecha' under "Yoshevei," even though it is undoubtedly connected to the next word, "Pelashes"? Perhaps when one cannot err to expound differently, notes are assigned for other reasons (for example, see 12:40:3:1* and to Bereishis 44:18:151:1). The Gematriya of 'ha'Tipecha' (without the Yud) is 103, the same as 'Avimelech' - PF. Avimelech is the official name of all kings of Pelashes (Rashi to Tehilim 34:1); the note Tipecha hints that terror gripped even their king. )
In Tehilim 93:4.
What idea is this verse adding?
Maharal: See above, 15:9:4:1 .
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "Tzalelu (they plummeted) - [meaning] Shake'u (they sank); Ameku (they went deep)." Why does Rashi need to add both terms?
Gur Aryeh: "Tzalelu" indeed means to sink (as Targum translates). Rashi adds that they did not merely sink; rather, they sank to the depths.
