Shmot - Changing Times

 בס"ד

Parshas Shmos opens with the transition of Israel from an extended family of seventy to a nation of 600,000 men. It also marks their change in leadership from Yosef to Moshe. Concerning the Israelites, the Chumash says that they were, "prolific, swarmed, became numerous, very independent, and the land was filled with them" (Exodus 1:7). Concerning Egypt, the Chumash says that a new king arose, who did not know Yosef, suspected Israel of disloyalty and that they were liable to ally themselves with his nation's enemies and perhaps even usurp them.

The Talmud (Sota 11a) discusses the verse, "A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph", (Exodus 1:8). Rav says, "He was really a new king", and commentaries add that this was a new dynasty. Shmuel says it was the same dynasty but he replaced the legal system established by Yosef and acted as if he never heard of him. The B'chor Shor (בכור שור) says that the new Pharaoh did not recognize Yosef, did not know him, and did not look at Israel positively because of him. 

When Moshe and Aharon first approach Pharaoh they speak in the name of Hashem (י-ה-ו-ה) who is the G-d of the Hebrews as if they expected him to know what they were talking about. Considering that Yosef ruled Egypt for eighty years, this is a reasonable expectation, and also among the Egyptian deities is a creator god. Nevertheless Pharaoh's reaction is who is Hashem, I don't know of Him. The Sforno elaborates, "I have never heard of any Being which created something tangible out of absolute nothing". According to Rabbeinu Bahya Pharaoh became angry exclaiming, “I have created myself and I am lord of the universe! The river Nile is my river". However the Sforno also explains, "Although there can be no question that in the annals of Egyptian history the 80 year reign of Joseph and his legislation saving Egypt from the famine was duly recorded, as well as how he legislated that the whole land would belong to Pharaoh and the farmers would become his tenants, it did not occur to anyone to associate the Hebrews of his time with the family of Joseph who had been so highly esteemed. The idea that the present day Hebrews deserved special consideration on account of their illustrious forbearer did not occur to anyone observing the way these Hebrews behaved at that time".

Concerning the Israelites, rabbis see an implied criticism in the words "swarmed" (יִּשְׁרְצוּ) and "the land was filled with them". They explain that for many years all the Israelites lived in Goshen, but as time passed they spread out all over Egypt. This was a mistake because if they had stayed put and kept to themselves, there would have been fewer problems. Other commentaries say that by the time Moshe came on the scene the Israelites had descended to the forty-ninth of fifty levels of impurity and were as idolatrous as the Egyptians. Even so they still maintained their identity and were worthy of redemption because to a certain extent they clung to their traditional clothing, names, and language.

The lesson seems to be that it is up to the Jews keep religious traditions alive in the world starting with their own history and leaders. When they do so the nations look upon them favorably and give them valuable gifts. However when they shirk this mission and attempt to assimilate the reaction is suspicion, hostility, and persecution.

לע"נ  האמא מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע טז ניסן תשנ"ח

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