Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Pharaoh mean when he says 'let us deal wisely with them' in Exodus 1:10?
A: Pharaoh is expressing his fear that the Israelites will grow too numerous and powerful in Egypt. According to Rashi, Pharaoh and his advisors sought to oppress the Israelites with harsh labor to prevent them from multiplying and potentially joining Egypt's enemies in war. The term 'deal wisely' reflects their strategy to weaken the Jewish people through slavery and persecution.
Q: Why was Pharaoh afraid the Israelites would 'go up out of the land'?
A: Pharaoh feared that if the Israelites became too numerous, they might rebel, ally with Egypt's enemies, and leave Egypt—depriving the kingdom of their slave labor. The Midrash explains that Pharaoh saw the Israelites as a vital workforce, and their potential departure would harm Egypt's economy. His fear ultimately led to the harsh decrees against them.
Q: How does Exodus 1:10 relate to Jewish history and oppression?
A: This verse marks the beginning of Jewish suffering in Egypt, setting the stage for the enslavement. The Rambam teaches that this oppression was part of the divine plan to prepare the Jewish people for redemption. It also illustrates a recurring theme in Jewish history—where rulers fear Jewish growth and respond with persecution, yet the Jewish people ultimately survive and thrive.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's fear of the Israelites multiplying?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 11a) teaches that Pharaoh's fear was irrational—no nation had ever been destroyed by its slaves. This teaches that hatred and oppression often stem from baseless fears. Additionally, the verse shows that attempts to suppress the Jewish people ultimately fail, as seen in the Exodus, reinforcing the idea that divine providence protects Israel.
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish resilience?
A: Despite Pharaoh's plan to weaken the Israelites through oppression, the Torah later states (Exodus 1:12) that the more they were afflicted, the more they multiplied. This demonstrates Jewish resilience in the face of adversity, a theme repeated throughout Jewish history. The Midrash emphasizes that no human decree can override G-d's promise to make the Jewish people numerous.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Shemot 1:10) records Pharaoh's speech to his advisors, expressing concern about the growing Israelite population in Egypt. His fear is that if war breaks out, the Israelites might ally with Egypt's enemies, fight against Egypt, and leave the land. This marks the beginning of the oppression of Bnei Yisrael in Egypt.
Pharaoh's Motivation
Rashi explains that Pharaoh's fear was not merely about the Israelites becoming too numerous but about their potential disloyalty. The phrase "הָבָה נִתְחַכְּמָה לוֹ" ("let us deal wisely with them") suggests that Pharaoh sought a cunning strategy to suppress them without outright violence, which might provoke rebellion.
Midrashic Interpretation
The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:9) elaborates that Pharaoh consulted his three advisors—Bilam, Iyov, and Yitro—before enacting his plan. Bilam, who advised oppression, was later killed; Iyov, who remained silent, suffered afflictions; and Yitro, who opposed Pharaoh, was rewarded by having descendants (like Moshe's father-in-law) join Klal Yisrael.
Pharaoh's Flawed Reasoning
Ramban notes that Pharaoh's logic was flawed because:
The Term "וְעָלָה מִן־הָאָרֶץ"
Ibn Ezra interprets "וְעָלָה מִן־הָאָרֶץ" ("go up out of the land") as Pharaoh's concern that the Israelites would leave Egypt entirely, depriving the kingdom of their labor. Alternatively, Sforno suggests it refers to the Israelites gaining dominance over Egypt, as the word "עָלָה" can imply rising to power.
Divine Irony
The Talmud (Sotah 11a) highlights the irony that Pharaoh's oppressive measures—intended to curb the Israelite population—only caused them to multiply further, as promised by Hashem to Avraham (Bereishit 15:5). This demonstrates that human schemes cannot thwart divine decree.