Exodus 10:8 - Who truly serves Hashem?

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 10:8) occurs during the narrative of the plagues in Egypt, specifically after the plague of locusts. Pharaoh, under pressure from his servants, temporarily relents and summons Moshe and Aharon back to negotiate terms for Bnei Yisrael's worship of Hashem.

Pharaoh's Conditional Permission

Rashi explains that Pharaoh's statement, "Go, serve the Lord your God," appears to be a concession, but his follow-up question, "But who are they that shall go?" reveals his reluctance to allow all of Bnei Yisrael to leave. Pharaoh sought to limit the exodus to only the adult men, excluding women, children, and livestock (Rashi on Shemot 10:8). This aligns with his earlier attempts to restrict their worship (e.g., Shemot 5:1-5).

Pharaoh's Manipulative Tactics

The Midrash Tanchuma (Bo 5) highlights Pharaoh's deceptive strategy: he pretended to agree to Moshe's demand but added conditions to undermine it. By asking "מִי וָמִי הַהֹלְכִים" ("who are they that shall go?"), he sought to divide Bnei Yisrael and weaken their collective resolve. This reflects a recurring theme in the Exodus narrative—Pharaoh's stubbornness and attempts to maintain control.

Moshe's Uncompromising Stance

Ramban (on Shemot 10:9) emphasizes that Moshe responded firmly (in the subsequent verses) by insisting that all of Bnei Yisrael—men, women, children, and livestock—must go. This teaches that avodat Hashem must be complete and inclusive, not fragmented or conditional. Pharaoh's attempt to exclude families and possessions was unacceptable, as true service of Hashem requires unity and totality.

Spiritual Significance

• Collective Worship: The Sforno notes that Pharaoh's question undermines the essence of communal service to Hashem, which requires participation from all segments of the nation.
• Pharaoh's Fear: The Kli Yakar suggests Pharaoh feared losing his slave labor force permanently if families left, revealing his true motive—economic exploitation rather than genuine permission.