1)

What did Hashem mix in Egypt?

1.

Rashi: He mixed a drink for them; he made their Ru'ach crooked. "Masach" is like "Maschah Yeinah" (Mishlei 9:2). Mixing a drink in a barrel, until it has the proper taste, is called Masach.

2.

Radak: He confused their counsel and destroyed their Chachmah. Masach is mixing, like "b'Yayin Masachti" (Mishlei 9:5).

3.

Malbim: He put in them a spirit of confusion and insanity, like one who mixes wine so it will be pleasant to drink. Egypt drank from this intoxicating wine, and became drunk.

2)

What is "Iv'im"?

1.

Rashi: It is the name of an illness of insanity.

2.

Radak: It is from the root Avah - Na'avah Lev (a crooked heart).

3)

Who made Egypt stray?

1.

Refer to 19:13:3:1-2.

4)

"Ma'asehu" implies that Egypt is masculine. Verse 13 ("Pinas Shevateha") implies that it is feminine!

1.

Radak: Sometimes the verse uses the feminine for the assembly, and sometimes it uses the masculine for the nation.

5)

What is the comparison to a drunkard staggering in his vomit?

1.

Radak citing Targum Yonasan: He errs in his thoughts and tramples in his liability. I.e. he does not know what to do, and vomits, and afterwards rolls in his vomit.

2.

Malbim: A drunkard strays to return to drink his vomit, which his innards and stomach expelled, for it cannot bear it. He thinks that it is wine, and he drinks it. So [the officers] misled Egypt to do deeds against their nature, for which the land will vomit them out, and it cannot contain them 1 .


1

Sifra (Kedoshim 4, 12:14): Eretz Yisrael is unlike all other lands. It does not tolerate transgressors, and vomits them out! Malbim's words require investigation. (PF)

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