2021/5782

At the beginning of Parashat Shemot, there is a drastic change in the relationship between the Jews and the Egyptians. The Torah states (Shemot 1:7), "And [the] children of Yisrael were fruitful, increased abundantly, multiplied, became very mighty, and the land was filled with them." The next Pasuk says, "A new king arose in Mitzrayim, who did not know Yosef." From these two Pesukim, it appears that these Pesukim have little to do with the relationship change between the Jews and the Egyptians. What is the connection between this sudden shift and the new king juxtaposed in the next Pasuk?

The answer to our question started when Yakov went down to Mitzrayim. Throughout Sefer Shemot, there is a constant concept of Ma'aseh Avot Siman LeBanim- Many things the Avot do are symbolic of the future. For example,  Yosef bringing Yakov down to Miztraim and returning him to Israel for his burial foreshadows our Galut today. Bnei Yisrael were exiled to Egypt because of what they did to their brother, our Galus was also caused by our misdeeds. The Gemara (Gittin 56a) records that the Romans eventually took over the Jews because of the famine. Similarly, Yaakov sent his sons down to Egypt to get food during a famine. Lastly, Rashi says that when his children carried Yaakov Avinu's coffin, the Cana’anim saw Yosef's crown and placed their crowns on Yosef's.  At the end of days, everyone will realize Hashem is the king and will crown Yaakov's children. Now let us take a deeper look at why the Mitzrim turned on the Jews. 

According to the Netziv, Shemot 1:7 should have said “VaTimalei Ha’Aretz Meihem” instead of “Otam”. What is the reason for this? Until  Yaakov Avinu died, the Jews lived strictly in Goshen. However, the Torah uses the word “Otam”, similar to “Imam”, to teach us that the Jews started living among the Egyptians and assimilating. Instead of living in Goshen, they felt they had to move throughout Egypt because they were nervous after the death of Yosef and Yaakov. The Netziv continues and says that the Jews’ strategy was to befriend the Egyptians. If they became friends, they hoped the Egyptians would leave them alone. The Midrash supports this idea saying that they stopped doing Brit Milah because the Mitzvah makes us different. This was their way of assimilation in addition to moving in with them. Once the Jews started mixing with the Mitzrim, only then did the Mitzrim start to hate them.

The changes were for the long-term benefit of the Jews, the Beit Halevi writes. Once they hated us, we stopped assimilating. The next Pasuk recording that a new king was appointed is a direct response to the Jews wanting to live with the Mitzrim.

In Parashat Lech Lecha, Hashem informs Avraham Avinu that we will be in a land that does not belong to us, and will be afflicted. However, if we stay in our land, Goshen, we will not be subjugated. Shevet Levi, who remained in Goshen, hence, was not subject to punishment.

This is a clear representation of our Galut. For years, people have said, let's act like our non-Jewish neighbors, then we might succeed.  However, it's the opposite. Many times in history have we thought that we integrated into the broader society. However, once we feel comfortable out of our land, things go wrong. When we're out in public, we must make sure to not lose focus on our beliefs, and remember our identity. Be’Ezrat Hashem, when we review our actions every day, we should merit to be doing precisely what Hashem wants.