Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Pharaoh mean when he says 'Not so: go now you that are men, and serve the Lord' in Exodus 10:11?
A: Pharaoh is refusing Moshe's request to let all of Bnei Yisrael leave to serve Hashem. He only agrees to let the adult men go, while insisting that the women, children, and livestock remain behind. Rashi explains that Pharaoh was trying to undermine their worship by keeping families separated.
Q: Why did Pharaoh drive Moshe and Aharon out of his presence in this verse?
A: The Midrash teaches that Pharaoh became angry when Moshe insisted that everyone - men, women, children and livestock - must go to serve Hashem. When they wouldn't compromise, Pharaoh lost his temper and expelled them from his palace, showing his stubborn refusal to fully let Bnei Yisrael go.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's response in Exodus 10:11?
A: The Rambam teaches that Pharaoh's partial permission demonstrates how yetzer hara (the evil inclination) tries to compromise our service of Hashem. True avodas Hashem requires complete commitment - we cannot serve Hashem properly if we leave parts of our lives or families behind in 'Egypt' (symbolizing negative influences).
Q: How does this verse show Pharaoh's stubbornness during the plagues?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 105a) notes that even after suffering many plagues, Pharaoh continued to resist Hashem's will by offering partial solutions. This verse shows his pattern of stubbornness - he was willing to negotiate rather than fully submit, which ultimately led to greater punishments.
Q: Why was it important that all of Bnei Yisrael needed to serve Hashem together?
A: As the Sforno explains, complete service of Hashem requires the participation of the entire nation - men, women and children. The Jewish people are interconnected, and proper worship depends on families being united in serving Hashem. Pharaoh's attempt to split families apart would have prevented true spiritual service.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Exodus 10:11) occurs during the negotiations between Moshe and Pharaoh regarding the Israelites' request to leave Egypt to serve Hashem. Pharaoh initially refuses to allow all of Bnei Yisrael to depart, insisting that only the men may go while the women and children remain behind.
Pharaoh's Stubbornness and Deception
Rashi explains that Pharaoh's words, "לֹא כֵן" ("Not so"), reflect his stubborn refusal to comply with Moshe's demand. Pharaoh attempts to deceive by offering a partial concession—allowing only the men to leave—while keeping the families as hostages to ensure their return. This reveals his true intention: to prevent the Israelites from serving Hashem entirely.
The Limitation to "הַגְּבָרִים" (The Men)
The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 13:3) highlights that Pharaoh's restriction to only the men was a tactic to undermine the spiritual mission. True service of Hashem requires the participation of the entire nation, including women and children, as they are integral to the covenant. The Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that Pharaoh sought to prevent the transmission of faith to future generations by keeping the families in Egypt.
"כִּי אֹתָהּ אַתֶּם מְבַקְשִׁים" (For That Is What You Desire)
Ibn Ezra interprets Pharaoh's statement as an accusation: he claims Moshe and Aharon are using the pretext of serving Hashem as a ruse to escape slavery entirely. The Malbim, however, suggests that Pharaoh acknowledges their sincerity but still refuses, demonstrating his hardened heart.
The Expulsion from Pharaoh's Presence
The phrase "וַיְגָרֶשׁ אֹתָם" ("And they were driven out") is emphasized by the Sforno, who notes that Pharaoh's anger led him to dismiss Moshe and Aharon abruptly, signaling his complete rejection of their request. This foreshadows the escalation of the plagues, as Pharaoh's obstinacy brings further divine retribution.
Key Lessons from the Verse