The Exodus Narrative and the Four Children/2

The Exodus in Light of the Four Sons

Exegetical Approaches

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The Wise Son: A Righteous Nation

The Israelites were righteous believers in God who had maintained a unique identity throughout their sojourn in Egypt.  They were eager to leave Egypt and follow Moshe, their spiritual leader.

Purpose of the Exile – The exile was aimed at preventing the assimilation of Yaakov's descendants in Canaan.  In Egypt, where the inhabitants were xenophobic and would not even eat with the Hebrews, let alone marry them,  the chances of assimilation were small.  This would allow the family to grow into a nation with its own unique identity. See Seforno and R. Hirsch in Purposes of the Egyptian Bondage.

Initial settlement in Goshen – Yaakov's family settled in Goshen so as to avoid mingling with the Egyptians and to ensure that they did not acculterate into the surrounding society.  See R. Saba, R. Hirsch, and Netziv  in Why Live in Goshen.

Did the Israelites stay in Goshen? The nation stayed in Goshen, segregated from the rest of the Egyptians, throughout their sojourn.  See the second opinion brought by R. D"Z Hoffmann in Where in Egypt Did the Israelites Live?

Purpose of the bondage – The bondage (as opposed to the exile) had an educational objective. By experiencing slavery themselves, the Children of Israel learned to feel empathy and care for the downtrodden and less fortunate members of society. The shared experience of suffering further fostered unity, strengthening them as a nation.  See Nechama Leibowitz and R. Hirsch in Purposes of the Egyptian Bondage.

Nature of the bondage – This approach can view the experience of slavery as either very harsh, with the people being slaves to both the State and individual Egyptians under severe conditions, or as a somewhat  milder experience in which the people worked only in shifts and were able to return home periodically.

Who was enslaved? The Levites might have been granted exemption from slavery due to their status as religious leaders and in merit of their great Torah learning.  See Shemot Rabbah in Who was Enslaved in Egypt and Selection of the Priests and Levites.

Why request only a three day journey? The ruse might have been necessary to deceive Paroh who otherwise would have never agreed to let the nation leave, and might have even killed Moshe for the impertinence of his request.  Paroh's refusal for even such a short reprieve from work further served to demonstrate to all just how intransigent he was and why he deserved the punishments he received. See "Egyptians were misled" in A Three Day Journey?

Were the vessels gifts or loans? Since the Egyptians assumed that the Israelites were not leaving for good, it is likely that they gave the vessels as loans and expected them to be returned.  The Israelites, however, were justified in keeping the objects as partial compensation for years of servitude. See Reparations and Despoiling Egypt.

The plagues – The plagues were punitive in nature, taking vengeance on the Egyptians for the enslavement.  There was both a geographic and ethnic differentiation in all the plagues.  As the Israelites lived alone in Goshen, they were all spared the hardships of the plagues which struck only outside its borders.  The differentiation strengthened their belief in Hashem's justice in punishing the wicked and sparing the innocent. See Purpose of the Plagues and Whom and Where Did the Plagues Strike?

How supernatural were the plagues?

Purpose of the Pesach – This approach might view the Pesach as a thanksgiving offering, given by the joyous nation as they embarked on their journey to freedom and worship of Hashem.  It might have further served as an educational tool to the Egyptians, showing them the worthlessness of their gods. See R. D"Z Hoffmann and R. Bachya respectively in Purpose of the Pesach.

The Roundabout Route

The Wicked Son: An Idolatrous People

The Israelites were idolatrous in Egypt and were reluctant to leave Egypt to follow Moshe and an unknown God.

Initial settlement in Goshen – Yaakov's family settled in Goshen not for its spiritual benefits but for its economic advantages, as it provided good grazing land for their cattle. See Why Live in Goshen?

Did the Israelites stay in Goshen? As the years passed, the Israelites moved out of Goshen in their desire to mingle with Egyptian society. Netziv emphasizes how the move promoted the assimilation of the nation, leading them to worship idolatry like their neighbors. See Where in Egypt Did the Israelites Live.

Purpose of the bondage – The enslavement came as either punishment for the nation's idolatry, or as a means to prevent their assimilation from progressing further.  See Seforno and the Netziv respectively in Purposes of the Egyptian Bondage.

Nature of the bondage – This approach might assume that the enslavement in Egypt constituted state slavery, which though harsh, still allowed people to own their own homes and cattle and maintain intact families. It is possible that they even had positive relations with some of their Egyptian neighbors. See Nature of the Bondage.

Who was enslaved? It is possible that only the able-bodied were enslaved, while the frail, elderly, women and children were exempt.  Alternatively, as Ralbag suggests, that those who were wealthy enough could pay a monetary tax in lieu of work.  If so, it is possible that for some groups of people the conditions in Egypt were not as uncomfortable as often imagined. See Who was Enslaved in Egypt?

Why request a three day journey? Many of the Israelites would not have been enthusiastic about leaving Egypt. They had no desire to adopt a monotheistic lifestyle, did not fully trust Moshe, and might not have wanted to forego relations forged with their fellow Egyptians.  If some had positive work conditions, there was not even the incentive of freedom to drive them.  As such, the three day ruse might have been aimed not at the Egyptians, but at the Israelites themselves who would otherwise have opted to stay put.

The plagues – The plagues had an educational goal, to help the Israelites see Hashem's omnipotence and begin to believe in him. The stated objective, "בְּזֹאת תֵּדַע כִּי אֲנִי י"י" was aimed at Israel as much as at the Egyptians.  It is possible that the Israelites were not even spared. If the differentiation mentioned in the plagues was only geographic, then all Israelites outside of Goshen (a considerable amount) would have been affected.  These nonbelievers might have needed a concrete taste of God's power, and not just a show as it affected others.  See Purpose of the Plagues and Whom and Where Did the Plagues Strike?

Purpose of the pesach – The Pesach rite was meant to serve as an educative process that would highlight the worthlessness of Egyptian gods.  In observing the Egyptian god killed and unable either to defend itself or wreak punishment, the people would learn to reject idolatry. See Ralbag on the Purpose of the Pesach.

Chased out – Hashem ensures that the nation is actively chased out of Egypt, since otherwise they might not have left.

The Roundabout route

The Simple Son: The Unknowing Masses

The Israelites wavered in their beliefs and desires.  Though they were tired of slavery, they were equally frightened of change and the unknown.

Initial settlement in Goshen – This position might suggest that the family opted to live in Goshen mainly due to its proximity to Yosef, and the protection he could afford them, though it is also possible that they were motivated by the economic advantages its grazing land provided.

Did the nation stay in Goshen? It is possible that out of inertia and due to the comfort of the familiar, the Israelites remained mainly in Goshen, but that with time Egyptians moved in and they were no longer segregated.

Purpose of the bondage

Nature of the bondage

Desire to leave – Though the people desired freedom from slavery, they were much more hesitant about the idea of leaving Egypt.  Change is difficult, and no matter how difficult life was, the unknown is potentially worse. Unsure of where they were going, and what Hashem was to expect of them, the decision to follow Moshe was not automatic. 

Why request a three day journey?