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In this week’s parsha the Jews get rich as they empty out Egypt of all their wealth (gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, etc.).
The Torah tells us (11;2) that Hashem asked Moshe: “Please speak in the ears of the people; Let each man request of his fellow and each woman from her fellow silver vessels and gold vessels.”
The question is: Why did Hashem make the nation of Israel ask Egypt for all their wealth–if He was really so concerned to fulfill his promise to Avraham (see: Bereishis, 15;14) there are many other ways He could have made them rich!?! In fact, Rashi relates (15;22) that the nation of Israel got more wealth at the Sea of Reeds (when all the Egyptians died) than they did in Egypt (when we asked them for their gold and silver). Therefore, what was the purpose of having the nation of Israel ask the Egyptians for their gold and silver? Certainly it wasn’t to get rich!?! The nation of Israel were about to enter the desert where they wouldn’t even be able to use their money!?! Why was Hashem so caught up on having the nation of Israel ask the Egyptians for their gold and silver that He even commanded them twice (11;2 and 3;22)?
Additionally, the Torah (11;2) refers to the Egyptians as our “fellows”. However, we were just enslaved in their land for 430 years–How could they be considered our fellows?
Furthermore, the Torah (11;3) tells us: “Hashem granted the people favor in the eyes of Egypt.” However, what was the purpose of this? Why should it matter what the Egyptians think of us?
Lastly, the Torah (3;22) tells us that Hashem commanded the nation to request from the Egyptians their garments. However, one of the reason why we were worthy of being freed from the land of Egypt is because we kept our style of dress (Pska Zuta, 6;6). Therefore, how could Hashem command us to take the Egyptians’ clothes?
The Ramban (11;3) relates that the Egyptians actually came to love the Jews because of the plagues. And why is that? The Ramban explains that the plagues caused the Egyptians to realize that they were sinners and that the Jews deserved to be treated graciously by Hashem. Therefore, Rabbi Yochanan Zweig explains that it was important for Hashem to grant the Jews favor in the eyes of Egypt so that they would be viewed as righteous and thereby come to realize their evil ways.
Further, Rabbi Zweig explains that the Jews took the Egyptian clothing because they were going to “serve Hashem as Egyptians.” Meaning, the nation of Israel were going to do kindness for Egypt and allow them to participate in their service of Hashem. However, in order for the Egyptians to properly participate they had to actually give the Jews their clothing. And why is that? Rabbi Zweig explains that when one gives towards another they become part of that person. Therefore, Hashem made it a point to have the Jews specifically ask the Egyptians for their clothes (for had they simply taken all of the Egyptian’s possessions against their will then the Egyptians wouldn’t have been considered part of the service).
Similarly, we could now understand why the pasuk (11;2) refers to the Egyptians as our “fellows.” Rabbi Zweig explains that since the Egyptians willingly gave the jews their possessions they became part of of the jewish nation and they were therefore considered friends.
Lastly, we can now also understand why the Hashem commanded the nation to take the Egyptian clothing (even though not changing our style of dress was one reason why we merited to be free)-as in order for the Egyptians to be considered part of the service of the jews they had to be wearing Egyptian clothing.
Bo
Bo
In this week’s parsha the Jews get rich as they empty out Egypt of all their wealth (gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, etc.).
The Torah tells us (11;2) that Hashem asked Moshe: “Please speak in the ears of the people; Let each man request of his fellow and each woman from her fellow silver vessels and gold vessels.”
The question is: Why did Hashem make the nation of Israel ask Egypt for all their wealth–if He was really so concerned to fulfill his promise to Avraham (see: Bereishis, 15;14) there are many other ways He could have made them rich!?! In fact, Rashi relates (15;22) that the nation of Israel got more wealth at the Sea of Reeds (when all the Egyptians died) than they did in Egypt (when we asked them for their gold and silver). Therefore, what was the purpose of having the nation of Israel ask the Egyptians for their gold and silver? Certainly it wasn’t to get rich!?! The nation of Israel were about to enter the desert where they wouldn’t even be able to use their money!?! Why was Hashem so caught up on having the nation of Israel ask the Egyptians for their gold and silver that He even commanded them twice (11;2 and 3;22)?
Additionally, the Torah (11;2) refers to the Egyptians as our “fellows”. However, we were just enslaved in their land for 430 years–How could they be considered our fellows?
Furthermore, the Torah (11;3) tells us: “Hashem granted the people favor in the eyes of Egypt.” However, what was the purpose of this? Why should it matter what the Egyptians think of us?
Lastly, the Torah (3;22) tells us that Hashem commanded the nation to request from the Egyptians their garments. However, one of the reason why we were worthy of being freed from the land of Egypt is because we kept our style of dress (Vayikrah Rabbah, 32;5). Therefore, how could Hashem command us to take the Egyptians’ clothes?
I think the Torah is teaching us the greatness of recognizing Hashem’s limitless powers. After Hashem told Moshe everything that He was going to do in Egypt the Torah states (7;5): “And Egypt shall know that I am Hashem.” Meaning, the purpose of all the signs and wonders was so that the Egyptians would realize that Hashem controls the whole world. Similarly, after Hashem tells Moshe that He would perform a great miracle at the Sea of Reeds the Torah (14;18) states: “Egypt will know that I am Hashem.” Once again meaning that the purpose of the miracle would be to make the Egyptians realize that Hashem is the master of the whole world. Furthermore, the Torah (14;25) relates that the Egyptians said ”It is Hashem who is fighting for them in Egypt.” We see from there how Egypt came to recognize Hashem through the splitting of the sea. I think we could apply the same idea over here. The Ramban (11;3) relates that the Egyptians actually came to love the Jews because of the plagues. And why is that? The Ramban explains that the plagues caused the Egyptians to realize that they were sinners and that the Jews deserved to be treated graciously by Hashem. Thus, it was important for Hashem to grant the Jews favor in the eyes of Egypt so that they would be viewed as righteous and therefore come to realize their evil ways.
Rabbi Yochanan Zweig explains that the Jews took the Egyptian clothing because they were going to “serve Hashem as Egyptians.” Meaning, they were going to do kindness for Egypt and allow them to participate in their service of Hashem. However, in order for the Egyptians to properly participate they had to actually give the Jews their clothing. And why is that? Because when one gives towards another they become part of that person. Therefore, Hashem made it a point to have the Jews specifically ask the Egyptians for their clothes (for otherwise they wouldn’t have been considered part of our service). This also explains why the pasuk (11;2) refers to the Egyptians as our “fellows”–for due to their giving they became part of us and we were therefore considered friends.
Summary: Hashem granted the Jews favor in the eyes of Egypt (11;3) in order so that they would be viewed as righteous and therefore come to realize their evil ways. Additionally, Rabbi Yochanan Zweig explains the Jews were commanded to take the Egyptian clothing (3;22) because they were going to do kindness for them and allow them to participate in their service of Hashem. Furthermore, the Jews were commanded to ask the Egyptians for their valuables because through giving 2 people unite–the Egyptians would therefore be able to participate in our service. Lastly, the Egyptians are referred to as our “fellows” (11;2) because after they gave us their valuables we united and became friends.
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