Exodus 3:22 - Divine justice through borrowed wealth?

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Hebrew Text

וְשָׁאֲלָה אִשָּׁה מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ וּמִגָּרַת בֵּיתָהּ כְּלֵי־כֶסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב וּשְׂמָלֹת וְשַׂמְתֶּם עַל־בְּנֵיכֶם וְעַל־בְּנֹתֵיכֶם וְנִצַּלְתֶּם אֶת־מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

but every woman shall ask of her neighbour, and of her that sojourns in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and garments: and you shall put them on your sons, and on your daughters; and you shall despoil Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Vesha'ala isha mishekhenatah umigarat beitah klei-kesef uklei zahav usmalot vesamtem al-bneikhem ve'al-bnotekhem venitzaltem et-mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְשָׁאֲלָ֨ה אִשָּׁ֤ה מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ֙ וּמִגָּרַ֣ת בֵּיתָ֔הּ כְּלֵי־כֶ֛סֶף וּכְלֵ֥י זָהָ֖ב וּשְׂמָלֹ֑ת וְשַׂמְתֶּ֗ם עַל־בְּנֵיכֶם֙ וְעַל־בְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְנִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־מִצְרָֽיִם׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 3:22) appears in the context of Hashem's instructions to Moshe at the burning bush regarding the future Exodus from Mitzrayim. The command for Bnei Yisrael to request silver, gold, and garments from their Egyptian neighbors is part of the fulfillment of the Brit Bein HaBetarim (Covenant Between the Parts), where Avraham was told his descendants would leave their exile with great wealth (Bereishit 15:14).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the phrase "וְנִצַּלְתֶּם אֶת־מִצְרָיִם" ("and you shall despoil Mitzrayim") refers to collecting the wealth of Egypt as compensation for the unpaid labor of Bnei Yisrael during their enslavement. He cites the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 14:3) that compares this to a prisoner who is freed and compensated for his forced labor.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:39), Rambam notes that this command served a psychological purpose - by taking Egyptian wealth, Bnei Yisrael would feel they were leaving as conquerors rather than as escaped slaves, thereby strengthening their national confidence.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Bo 8) states that the Egyptian women willingly gave their jewelry because they recognized the righteousness of the Israelite women who had maintained their modesty and faith despite oppression.
Shemot Rabbah (14:3) explains that the wealth taken from Egypt was actually repayment for the work done by Jewish slaves, and that the Egyptians gave it willingly because Hashem made them favorably disposed toward Bnei Yisrael.

Halachic Considerations

The Mechilta (Bo, Masechta DePischa 13) derives from this verse that it was permissible to borrow these items without intent to return them, as this was Divinely sanctioned compensation. However, this was a unique circumstance that doesn't establish a general halachic precedent.

Symbolic Meaning

The Kli Yakar suggests that the silver, gold and garments represent different levels of spiritual refinement - the material wealth taken from Egypt would later be transformed into the materials used for building the Mishkan, elevating physical objects for holy purposes.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 9b

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and the commandment to ask for valuables from the Egyptians, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would leave Egypt with great wealth.

📖 Sanhedrin 91a

The verse is cited in a debate about the righteousness of the Israelites' actions in despoiling the Egyptians, with some sages justifying it as repayment for unpaid labor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that the Israelites would 'despoil Egypt'?
A: The verse describes how the Israelite women would borrow silver, gold, and garments from their Egyptian neighbors before leaving Egypt. According to Rashi, this was a fulfillment of G-d's promise to Avraham (Genesis 15:14) that his descendants would leave Egypt with great wealth. The term 'despoil' refers to receiving compensation for their years of unpaid labor as slaves.

Q: Why did the Israelite women ask for these items from the Egyptians?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 14:3) explains that the Egyptians willingly gave these items because the Israelites had gained their respect through their moral behavior and because the Egyptians feared the plagues. Ramban adds that this was also a way for the Egyptians to atone for their mistreatment of the Israelites.

Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 9a) derives from this verse that a person should not leave a place without settling all accounts and receiving what is rightfully theirs. This teaches the importance of honesty and proper financial dealings, even when departing from a difficult situation.

Q: Why were the items specifically given to the children?
A: Rashi explains that the verse mentions putting the items on the children to show that even the youngest Israelites participated in this event. This emphasizes that the Exodus was a national experience involving all generations, and the wealth was meant to benefit the entire nation's future.

Q: What is the significance of the silver, gold, and garments mentioned?
A: The Midrash (Tanchuma Bo 8) teaches that these items were later used in constructing the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The gold was used for the Ark and other vessels, the silver for the sockets of the Mishkan, and the fine garments were used for the priestly vestments. This shows how material wealth can be elevated for holy purposes.