Who was Enslaved in Egypt/2

Who was Enslaved in Egypt?

Exegetical Approaches

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Everyone

The entire Israelite nation was enslaved.

Sources:RashiShemot 1:11-13Shemot 5:4About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, Abarbanel, Seforno, Shadal

Rotation

The Israelites worked for Paroh in shifts.  Each labored at the palace for several weeks or months and then was free to go home until his next shift.

Sources:R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 1:11-14About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, RambanShemot 1:10-14Shemot 5:4About R. Moshe b. Nachman

וַיָּשִׂימוּ עָלָיו שָׂרֵי מִסִּים

Those Who Could Not Afford the Monetary Tax

The Israelites were expected to pay a monetary tax to Paroh; only those who could not afford it worked instead.

Sources:RalbagShemot Beur HaMilot 1:11-14Shemot Beur HaParashah 1:11-22About R. Levi b. Gershom

וַיָּשִׂימוּ עָלָיו שָׂרֵי מִסִּים – Ralbag understands "מִסִּים" to refer to a monetary payment. 

Freedom of Movement – Ralbag points out that it does not appear that all of the nation was enslaved since