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Exodus 5:13 - Slaves pressured despite hardship

Exodus 5:13 - שמות 5:13

Hebrew Text

וְהַנֹּגְשִׂים אָצִים לֵאמֹר כַּלּוּ מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם דְּבַר־יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר בִּהְיוֹת הַתֶּבֶן׃

English Translation

And the taskmasters urged them on, saying, Fulfill your work, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

Transliteration

Vehanogsim atsim lemor kalu ma'aseikhem dvar-yom beyomo ka'asher bihyot hateven.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהַנֹּגְשִׂ֖ים אָצִ֣ים לֵאמֹ֑ר כַּלּ֤וּ מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם֙ דְּבַר־י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר בִּהְי֥וֹת הַתֶּֽבֶן׃
וְהַנֹּגְשִׂ֖ים אָצִ֣ים לֵאמֹ֑ר כַּלּ֤וּ מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם֙ דְּבַר־י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר בִּהְי֥וֹת הַתֶּֽבֶן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Shemot (Exodus)

The verse (Shemot 5:13) describes the intensified oppression of Bnei Yisrael in Mitzrayim (Egypt) after Moshe's initial demand to Pharaoh to let the people go. The Egyptian taskmasters (nogsim) pressured the Israelites to maintain the same brick production quota despite no longer providing straw, making their labor far more difficult.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments that the taskmasters "אצים" (urged them on) means they were rushing the Israelites harshly, demanding they complete their daily quota of bricks "דבר יום ביומו"—just as they had done when straw was provided. Rashi emphasizes the cruelty of Pharaoh's decree: the workload remained unchanged, but the Israelites now had to gather straw themselves, adding to their burden.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra notes that the phrase "כאשר בהיות התבן" (as when there was straw) highlights the injustice—Pharaoh expected the same output despite removing a critical resource. This reflects a broader theme of Egyptian oppression: imposing impossible demands to break the spirit of Bnei Yisrael.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 5:18) elaborates that the Egyptians assigned officers (shotrim) from among the Israelites to enforce these harsh decrees. When they failed to meet quotas, these officers were beaten—showing how the oppression turned Jews against each other. This aligns with the Talmudic principle (Sotah 11b) that Pharaoh's strategy was to crush Bnei Yisrael physically and morally.

Rambam on Human Dignity

Rambam (Hilchos Avadim 9:8) derives from this episode that oppressing workers by imposing unreasonable demands violates Torah law. Even though Bnei Yisrael were slaves, the Egyptians' cruelty—exemplified by removing straw while demanding the same output—transgresses basic ethical boundaries.

Key Lessons

  • Injustice of Unfair Labor: The verse underscores the moral failure of exploiting workers by withholding resources while maintaining expectations.
  • Psychological Oppression: Pharaoh's tactics aimed to demoralize Bnei Yisrael, a recurring theme in Jewish history.
  • Leadership Responsibility: Leaders (like the shotrim) must resist becoming tools of oppression, even under pressure.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 5:13 mean?
A: Exodus 5:13 describes how the Egyptian taskmasters harshly pressured the Jewish slaves to complete their daily quota of bricks, even though Pharaoh had stopped providing them with straw (which was previously supplied to make bricks). The verse emphasizes the cruelty of the Egyptians, as they demanded the same output despite making the work much harder. Rashi explains that the taskmasters were rushing the Jews, saying, 'Finish your work!' as if they still had straw provided to them.
Q: Why is Exodus 5:13 important in the story of the Exodus?
A: This verse highlights the increased suffering of the Jewish people in Egypt, which sets the stage for their eventual redemption. The Midrash teaches that the oppression intensified before their liberation to show that Hashem hears the cries of the oppressed. Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 9:2) also notes that suffering can lead to repentance and spiritual growth, which was part of the process leading to the Exodus.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 5:13 today?
A: This verse teaches us about resilience in the face of unjust hardship. The Jewish people endured extreme cruelty, yet they remained faithful. The Talmud (Berachot 5a) discusses how suffering can refine a person’s character. Additionally, it reminds us to be compassionate and not to impose unreasonable demands on others, as the Egyptians did.
Q: How does Exodus 5:13 relate to Jewish history?
A: This verse reflects a recurring theme in Jewish history—oppression followed by redemption. The Sages teach that just as the Jewish people endured hardship in Egypt before being freed, future exiles also follow this pattern. The Netziv (in his commentary on Shemot) explains that suffering prepares the Jewish people for their divine mission.