Notable Sources
All Sources
A
The Prophecy of EnslavementTANAKH
The Prophecy of Enslavement
TANAKH
The prophecy given to Abram foretells the future enslavement and oppression of his descendants, setting the stage for the dramatic narrative of the Exodus. In the book of Genesis, God reveals to Abram that his descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.
The Magnitude of the PlaguesLITURGY
The Magnitude of the Plagues
LITURGY
Each of the Ten Plagues in Egypt was actually composed of multiple plagues, leading to a total of forty plagues in Egypt and two hundred plagues at the sea. Rabbi Eliezer's interpretation in the Pesach Haggadah, the guiding text of the Passover seder, emphasizes the magnitude of divine retribution against the Egyptians, highlighting the miraculous nature of the Exodus.
The Egyptian DilemmaMIDRASH
The Egyptian Dilemma
MIDRASH
The Egyptians feared divine retribution if they killed the Hebrew male infants themselves, so they ordered the Hebrew midwives to do it. Louis Ginzberg’s early 20th-century work, Legends of the Jews, retells the biblical story of Pharaoh’s decree with a focus on the moral dilemmas and historical oppression faced by the Jews in Egypt.
The Cities of Pithom and RaamsesTALMUD
The Cities of Pithom and Raamses
TALMUD
The names of the cities 'Pithom and Raamses' built by the Israelites in Egypt are debated, reflecting the instability and challenges faced during their construction. The Talmudic tractate Sotah records a disagreement between Rav and Shmuel on whether these names are real or descriptive of the cities' characteristics.
From Slavery to SinaiCHASIDUT
From Slavery to Sinai
CHASIDUT
The Jewish people's journey from Egyptian subjugation to receiving the Torah at Sinai is a profound spiritual transformation. Zev Reichman’s modern exploration of this journey highlights the 49-day period of character refinement known as the counting of the Omer.
When Did the Slavery Begin?COMMENTARY
When Did the Slavery Begin?
COMMENTARY
The period of slavery for the Israelites in Egypt did not begin until after the death of Levi, the last of Jacob's sons. Rashi, in his renowned 11th-century commentary on the Torah, provides historical context for the duration of Israelite slavery in Egypt in his commentary on Exodus 6:16.
Why Egypt?KABBALAH
Why Egypt?
KABBALAH
The Zohar delves into the profound questions of why the Jewish people were exiled to Egypt specifically, offering a philosophical and theological exploration through a dialogue between Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Shimon. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, uses esoteric interpretations of the Torah to explore deep spiritual and existential questions.
Never Return to EgyptMUSAR
Never Return to Egypt
MUSAR
The Torah explicitly forbids the king from leading the people back to Egypt, emphasizing the importance of not returning to a place of past oppression. Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz, in his 17th-century work, explores the significance of this commandment and its roots in the historical context of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
A Strategy of FearCOMMENTARY
A Strategy of Fear
COMMENTARY
The Egyptians' strategy of killing male Israelite children was a calculated move to prevent a potential uprising. Chizkuni, a 13th-century Torah commentary, delves into Pharaoh's decree and its implications for the Israelite community.
The Depths of Despair in EgyptCOMMENTARY
The Depths of Despair in Egypt
COMMENTARY
The Israelites' condition in Egypt was so dire that they were devalued to the point where they couldn't even sell themselves as slaves to survive. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging explanation of the ultimate degradation described in the Tochecha (Admonition) in Deuteronomy.
Reconciling the Years of Egyptian SubjugationMIDRASH
Reconciling the Years of Egyptian Subjugation
MIDRASH
The Torah mentions two different durations for the Israelites' stay in Egypt, creating a need for reconciliation. The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, an ancient midrash from the land of Israel on the book of Exodus, explains how the 430 years and 400 years mentioned in the Torah can be understood together.
Understanding the Ten PlaguesHALAKHAH
Understanding the Ten Plagues
HALAKHAH
The ten plagues are not just random acts but are divided into specific categories that reveal different expressions of divine power. In the Mishneh Torah, Rambam's famed 12th-century code of Jewish law, Maimonides explains the ten plagues and introduces Rabbi Yehuda’s mnemonic device to remember them.
Foretold BondageSECOND TEMPLE
Foretold Bondage
SECOND TEMPLE
The prophecy given to Abram foretold the future enslavement and oppression of his descendants in a foreign land for four hundred years. Philo of Alexandria, a first-century Jewish philosopher, provides a profound interpretation of this prophecy and its significance in Jewish history.
A New King Who Did Not Know JosephTANAKH
A New King Who Did Not Know Joseph
TANAKH
The emergence of a new Egyptian king who did not recognize Joseph's contributions marked a significant shift in the relationship between the Israelites and the Egyptians. The second book of the Torah, Exodus, describes the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt and their miraculous redemption.
Remembering Our Own StrangersTARGUM
Remembering Our Own Strangers
TARGUM
The moral imperative to treat strangers kindly is rooted in the Israelites' own experience as strangers in Egypt. The Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Torah, emphasizes empathy and justice by reminding Jews of their history as foreigners in Egypt.
Recounting the ExodusMISHNAH
Recounting the Exodus
MISHNAH
The Passover Seder is not just a ritual but a personal reenactment of the Exodus from Egypt. The Mishnah, the first codification of Jewish law from the early third-century land of Israel, in tractate Pesachim, outlines the essential elements of the Seder, including the Paschal lamb, matza, and bitter herbs, and emphasizes the need to view oneself as if they personally left Egypt.
Experiencing the ExodusJEWISH THOUGHT
Experiencing the Exodus
JEWISH THOUGHT
The concept of collective memory and reenactment is central to Jewish tradition, especially during the Pesaḥ seder. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks emphasizes the importance of seeing oneself as if they personally experienced the Exodus from Egypt.
