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Exodus 10:25 - Offerings for Divine service?

Exodus 10:25 - שמות 10:25

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה גַּם־אַתָּה תִּתֵּן בְּיָדֵנוּ זְבָחִים וְעֹלוֹת וְעָשִׂינוּ לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ׃

English Translation

And Moshe said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Moshe gam-ata titen be'yadeinu zevachim ve'olot ve'asinu la'Hashem Eloheinu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה גַּם־אַתָּ֛ה תִּתֵּ֥ן בְּיָדֵ֖נוּ זְבָחִ֣ים וְעֹלֹ֑ת וְעָשִׂ֖ינוּ לַיהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה גַּם־אַתָּ֛ה תִּתֵּ֥ן בְּיָדֵ֖נוּ זְבָחִ֣ים וְעֹלֹ֑ת וְעָשִׂ֖ינוּ לַיהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Exodus 10:25) appears during the negotiations between Moshe and Pharaoh before the final plague, the death of the firstborn. Moshe insists that the Israelites must take their livestock to offer sacrifices to Hashem in the wilderness. Pharaoh initially resists, offering compromises, but Moshe remains firm in his demand.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Exodus 10:25) explains that Moshe's demand for sacrifices was not merely for sustenance but for divine service. He emphasizes that the phrase "זְבָחִים וְעֹלוֹת" (sacrifices and burnt offerings) refers to the korbanot (sacrificial offerings) they would bring to Hashem. Rashi notes that Pharaoh had previously suggested leaving the livestock behind (Exodus 10:24), but Moshe countered that they needed the animals for both communal and individual offerings.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 8:11) discusses the broader principle that a nation must allow others to serve Hashem without interference. Moshe's insistence reflects the Jewish people's inherent right to worship through korbanot, a central mitzvah tied to their covenant with Hashem. Pharaoh's reluctance symbolizes the resistance of oppressive regimes to spiritual freedom.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Mechilta (Bo 11) highlights that Moshe's demand was a test of Pharaoh's sincerity. Had Pharaoh agreed, it would have shown genuine repentance, but his refusal demonstrated his hardened heart.
  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Bo 13) adds that the animals were needed not only for Passover offerings but also for future sacrifices in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), underscoring the enduring nature of divine service.

Theological Significance

This verse underscores the centrality of korbanot in Jewish worship, even in the face of opposition. Moshe's unwavering stance teaches that serving Hashem requires complete commitment, without compromise. The demand for sacrifices also foreshadows the eventual establishment of the Mishkan and Beit HaMikdash, where such offerings would become a permanent fixture of Jewish life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Moshe mean when he asks Pharaoh for sacrifices and burnt offerings?
A: Moshe is demanding that Pharaoh allow the Israelites to take animals for sacrifices to serve Hashem in the wilderness. According to Rashi, this was necessary because some offerings (like the Passover sacrifice) could only be made in freedom, not under Egyptian rule. It was a test of Pharaoh's willingness to fully release them.
Q: Why did the Israelites need to sacrifice animals to Hashem?
A: Animal sacrifices were a central part of serving Hashem in biblical times, as commanded in the Torah. The Rambam explains that sacrifices were a way to draw closer to Hashem through a tangible act of devotion. The burnt offering ('olah') mentioned here symbolizes complete dedication to Hashem.
Q: What is the significance of Moshe saying 'our God' in this verse?
A: By saying 'Hashem our God,' Moshe emphasizes that the Israelites have their own relationship with Hashem, separate from Egyptian beliefs. The Midrash notes this shows the Israelites were rejecting Egyptian idolatry and affirming their commitment to serving Hashem alone.
Q: How does this verse relate to the Exodus story?
A: This demand was part of the final negotiations before the final plague (death of the firstborn). The Talmud (Berachos 9a) explains that true freedom meant being able to serve Hashem completely, which included making sacrifices - showing Pharaoh's earlier offers of partial freedom were insufficient.
Q: Are there any lessons from this verse that apply today?
A: Yes - the verse teaches that serving Hashem requires complete commitment. Just as the Israelites couldn't fully serve Hashem under Pharaoh's conditions, we learn from Chassidic teachings that our divine service must be wholehearted, without compromises that limit our spiritual growth.