ספר שמות

And it came to pass when Pharaoh sent out the people" (Exodus 13:17). It seems one can explain this as follows: "Pharaoh" (Par'oh) is a name for the yetzer hara (evil inclination), as it is the same letters as "ha-oref" (הערף) — that which stiffens a person's neck. Sometimes a person stirs himself toward repentance, regrets what he has done, confesses, and abandons his sins. "When Pharaoh sent out" — meaning: when [the yetzer hara] released him from his sins. "The people" — this alludes to simple, ordinary folk. "And God did not lead them" — meaning: even so, there is no rest before the Blessed Holy One, and no consolation before Him over the person's having abandoned his sins — because this person is holding the rope at both ends: even though he holds onto good qualities, he does not do so completely. "The way of the land of the Philistines" — this alludes to what we find regarding the Philistines: they had somewhat more derech eretz (civil decency) than other nations, for they drew Isaac close, as Avimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you" — and yet it is also written "and the Philistines envied him": their goodness was not complete. So too this person who abandons his sins — but not entirely. "For he was close" — meaning: this person is close to returning to his old ways. "For God said: lest the people repent when they see war" — meaning, when the war of the yetzer hara rises against them — "And they return to Egypt" — meaning, they will return to "the narrow sea" (ha-meitzar yam) — that is, to their original constriction entirely.

"And God turned the people by the way of the wilderness of the Sea of Reeds". "And God turned" — the Holy One Blessed be He, in His great mercy, actively creates circumstances to turn the people toward His good path. "By the way of the wilderness" — through hitbodedut (solitary contemplation/seclusion), like the wilderness. "Sea of Reeds" — and also through Torah study, for Torah is called "sea." "And the children of Israel went up armed (chamushim) from the land of Egypt" - "Chamushim" — but the complete tzaddikim, who are called by the name "Israel," go up from Egypt armed and equipped with weapons, so that the yetzer hara has no power over them. "And Moses took the bones of Joseph" - This alludes to the great tzaddik called by the name "Moses" — he took for himself the midah (character quality) of "Joseph": namely, that he holds himself with strength and atzamot (fortitude) in the service of the Creator, blessed be He. "Atzamot" (bones) — in the sense of strength and reinforcement. And it is easy to understand. (vekal lehavin)