Learning from the Egyptians

Rabbi Dorothy Richman

What role do the Egyptian courtiers play in Parshat Bo? A look at the Exodus narrative shows that some servants in Pharaoh's court actively try to do the right thing in a place where they have limited power. They attempt to stop Pharaoh, and when they fail in this, they aid the Israelites to escape Egypt.

Hearing Moses warn Pharaoh about an imminent plague of locusts, the courtiers cry out (Exodus 10:7), "Let them go to worship the Lord their God! Are you not yet aware that Egypt is lost?" Pharaoh is temporarily swayed by their collective voice of reason and grants the Israelites permission to leave.

After Pharaoh changes his mind, refusing to send out the Israelites, many of the Egyptians help outfit the slaves for their escape. When they are asked by the Israelites for silver, gold, and clothing, the former masters give generously (Exodus 11:3).

One commentator (Hizkuni) sees this transfer of goods as the Egyptian people's attempt at economic reparation--they are paying back wages for years of the Israelites' hard slave labour. Another (Ibn Ezra) goes further, claiming, "the Egyptians actually begged the Israelites to borrow their wealth. This is quite miraculous, totally the opposite of the ordinary way of the world."

The Egyptians teach us two crucial lessons: Speak truth to those in power. The courtiers begged Pharaoh to stop his stubborn destructiveness. Share wealth. How can we provide helpful support to those working toward political, economic, and social justice? Can we give in a way that feels "miraculous, totally the opposite of the ordinary way of the world?

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