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Exodus 10:9 - All generations serve Hashem together

Exodus 10:9 - שמות 10:9

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה בִּנְעָרֵינוּ וּבִזְקֵנֵינוּ נֵלֵךְ בְּבָנֵינוּ וּבִבְנוֹתֵנוּ בְּצֹאנֵנוּ וּבִבְקָרֵנוּ נֵלֵךְ כִּי חַג־יְהוָה לָנוּ׃

English Translation

And Moshe said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast to the Lord.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Moshe bin'areinu uvizkeineinu nelech b'vaneinu uv'vnoteinu b'tzoneinu uvivkareinu nelech ki chag-Adonai lanu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה בִּנְעָרֵ֥ינוּ וּבִזְקֵנֵ֖ינוּ נֵלֵ֑ךְ בְּבָנֵ֨ינוּ וּבִבְנוֹתֵ֜נוּ בְּצֹאנֵ֤נוּ וּבִבְקָרֵ֙נוּ֙ נֵלֵ֔ךְ כִּ֥י חַג־יְהֹוָ֖ה לָֽנוּ׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה בִּנְעָרֵ֥ינוּ וּבִזְקֵנֵ֖ינוּ נֵלֵ֑ךְ בְּבָנֵ֨ינוּ וּבִבְנוֹתֵ֜נוּ בְּצֹאנֵ֤נוּ וּבִבְקָרֵ֙נוּ֙ נֵלֵ֔ךְ כִּ֥י חַג־יְהֹוָ֖ה לָֽנוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Exodus 10:9

This verse appears during Moshe's negotiations with Pharaoh before the Exodus. Pharaoh had offered to allow only the adult men to go worship Hashem, but Moshe insists that the entire nation—young and old, sons and daughters, along with their livestock—must participate in the festival to Hashem.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Exodus 10:9) emphasizes that Moshe's demand includes all generations because the festival (referred to as "chag Hashem") is incomplete without the participation of the entire community. He connects this to the mitzvah of hakhel (Deuteronomy 31:12), where men, women, and children gather to hear Torah, teaching that communal worship requires inclusion of all ages.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah (7:1), Rambam derives from this verse that women and children are obligated in the mitzvah of eating the Korban Pesach (Paschal offering), reinforcing the principle that major religious observances involve the entire household.

Midrashic Interpretation

  • Mechilta (Bo 12): The phrase "with our young and with our old" teaches that the Exodus was a generational redemption—children were present to witness the miracles, ensuring the transmission of faith.
  • Exodus Rabbah (13:3): The inclusion of livestock ("flocks and herds") hints at future sacrifices, as the verse concludes "for we must hold a feast to Hashem," alluding to the Korban Pesach.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Pesachim 91a) cites this verse to prove that one may not exclude family members from the Pesach offering, as Moshe insisted on full participation. This becomes a model for how Jewish observance requires unity across ages and genders.

Theological Significance

Moshe's refusal to compromise reflects the Torah's vision of Judaism as a communal covenant. The mention of children (Exodus 10:9) parallels the "four sons" of the Haggadah, showing that education and inclusion are central to Jewish identity from the very moment of redemption.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the Exodus from Egypt, emphasizing the inclusion of all generations in the celebration of the festival to the Lord.
📖 Megillah 14a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the importance of communal participation in religious festivals, highlighting Moses' insistence on including everyone in the observance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Moses mean when he says 'we will go with our young and old' in Exodus 10:9?
A: Moses is emphasizing that the entire Jewish people—young and old, men and women—must participate in serving Hashem. Rashi explains that this shows the importance of including all generations in divine service, as everyone has a role in fulfilling mitzvot and celebrating before G-d.
Q: Why does Moses mention taking their flocks and herds in Exodus 10:9?
A: According to the Midrash, Moses insisted on bringing their livestock because these animals were needed for sacrifices to Hashem during their festival. The Rambam teaches that proper divine service requires offering sacrifices with one's possessions, showing complete dedication to G-d.
Q: What is the significance of calling it 'a feast to the Lord' in Exodus 10:9?
A: The Talmud (Pesachim 68b) explains that holidays are designated both for spiritual connection with Hashem and for physical enjoyment (within halachic boundaries). Moses refers to the upcoming Pesach offering and celebration, which would be the first national mitzvah of the Jewish people.
Q: How does Exodus 10:9 teach us about Jewish unity?
A: The verse demonstrates that Jewish worship requires unity across all demographics—young/old, men/women. The Sforno notes that true service of Hashem cannot exclude any segment of the community. This principle applies today in synagogue participation and holiday observances that involve the entire family.
Q: Why was Pharaoh opposed to the Jewish people leaving as described in Exodus 10:9?
A: Rashi explains that Pharaoh wanted to keep children as hostages to ensure the Jews' return. The Midrash Tanchuma adds that evil regimes often try to break intergenerational continuity. Moses' insistence on taking everyone showed that complete freedom requires preserving Jewish tradition across all generations.