RAV KOOK ON Re'eih Part 1: Private and Public Redemption

When Did the Exodus Occur? At what time of day did the Jewish people leave Egypt? The Torah appears to contradict itself regarding the hour of the Exodus. In Deut. 16:1 we read, “It was in the month of spring that the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt at night .” Clearly, the verse states that the Israelites departed in the night. However, the Torah previously stated in Num. 33:3 that they left during the daytime: “On the day after the Passover sacrifice, the Israelites left triumphantly before the eyes of the Egyptians.” So when did they leave — during the night, or in broad daylight, “before the eyes of the Egyptians”?