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
As in Yeshayah, 40:24 (Rashi).
From the Lashon "Neshef" (night-time - Ibn Ezra).
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." 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, Hashem's [hot] breath from the nose froze the water, and His [cold] breath from His 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, 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 (refer to 12:40:3:1* and to Bereishis 44:18:151:1). The Gematriya of ha'Tipecha is 103, the same as Avimelech - PF.)
In Tehilim 93:4.
