Shalom, I was wondering if you could clear this up for me. In the story of Passover I was told from a young age that it was a large scaled exodus leaving Egypt. I'm 15 now, and I read somewhere that that it was a small scale exodus. Is a number of people ever mentioned in the bible? Is there any evidence for either side of the story? I'm very confused I would just like to have a better idea. My whole perception of the story changed when I found out how inaccurate the movie with Charlton Heston was! Thank you!
The Torah states that six hundred thousand men between the ages of twenty and sixty left Egypt together with their wives, children and parents, see Exodus 12:37. According to conservative estimates there were about three million Jews at the Exodus. The Chofetz Chaim one of the greatest Rabbis of the generation just prior to the Second World War, was of the opinion that the number was probably closer to five million.