Beyond the Ancient Exodus: Unveiling Untold Stories of Our Heritage

The Egyptian Bondage Explained

In the book of *Bereshit*, we read about Jacob and his descendants moving to Egypt. This fulfilled Hashem's promise, "I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you up again." The Israelites multiplied, and Pharaoh feared their growing presence, leading to their enslavement as a strategy to weaken them. Pharaoh subjected the Israelites to brutal labor and decreed harsh punishments to diminish their numbers.

In response, Hashem blessed the Israelite women to give birth to six children at once. When Pharaoh realized this, he summoned the Hebrew midwives and ordered them to kill newborn boys. The God-fearing midwives defied Pharaoh, claiming that Hebrew women gave birth independently. Subsequently, Pharaoh decreed that all newborn boys be thrown into the Nile. The Israelites groaned under these oppressive conditions, and Hashem heard their cries.

Hashem chose a savior for the Israelites: Yocheved, from the tribe of Levi, bore a son. Though the Egyptians awaited the birth, she concealed the baby for three months due to his premature birth. Eventually, she placed him in a waterproofed basket along the Nile. His sister Miriam watched over him from a distance.

Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket and, moved by compassion, adopted the crying baby, naming him Moses. Moses grew up in Pharaoh's palace. One day, he witnessed an Egyptian striking a Hebrew and killed the Egyptian in defense. The next day, he intervened in a quarrel between two Hebrews, which led to his exposure. Moses fled to Midian, where he married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, and tended to her father's flock.

Meanwhile, the Israelites' suffering intensified, and they cried out to Hashem. Hashem commanded Moses to demand Pharaoh, "Let my people go, that they may serve Me." Despite Moses' protest of his speech impediment, Hashem appointed Aaron as his spokesperson.

Moses returned to Egypt to gather the elders, announcing the onset of redemption. The people believed, but Pharaoh defied the request, increasing their burdens by withholding straw for brick-making. Moses questioned Hashem, who reassured him of imminent redemption.

Hashem revealed four promises of redemption to Moses: to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, deliver them from slavery, redeem them, and claim them as His people at Mount Sinai. Afterwards, they would be taken to the Promised Land given to their ancestors.

The Ten Plagues

The Ten Plagues were divine punishments inflicted upon the Egyptians to compel them to release the Israelites. Each plague was met with Pharaoh's temporary promise to release them, only for him to retract once relief was felt. Despite the plagues, Egypt's close proximity spared the Israelites harm. The final plague, the death of the firstborns, finally broke Pharaoh's resistance.

Learn More About the Ten Plagues

The Exodus

The death of Egypt's firstborns, coupled with Pharaoh's own fear of impending death, led him to finally urge the Israelites to leave. Yet, Moses insisted on a departure by daylight. Without time to let their dough rise, the Israelites left Egypt with unleavened bread. Before departing, they asked Egyptians for gold, silver, and garments.

Yearly, on the 15th of Nissan, Jews commemorate the Exodus, refraining from chametz, eating matzah, and recounting the miracle to their children.

Days after the Israelites' departure, Pharaoh regretted releasing them and pursued them with his army. Trapped between the sea and Pharaoh's forces, the Israelites cried out to Hashem. Instructed by Hashem, Moses parted the sea, allowing the Israelites to cross safely. The Egyptians followed but were drowned when the sea returned. This event marked the birth of the Jewish people, celebrated in song by Moses, Miriam, and the Israelites.

The account here is but a glimpse of the miraculous events that unfolded in Egypt. We invite you to deepen your understanding of these significant occurrences and their lasting impacts. Explore Further

Unexpected Interpretations

Intriguing interpretations of the Exodus highlight Hashem's mighty hand. According to *Perush HaRokeach*, during the plague of the firstborns, thunder and lightning struck Egypt, resulting in the death of the firstborns alone.

The *Zohar* describes how the night of this plague was illuminated as day for the Israelites and Egyptians to witness the miracle clearly. King David referred to this in the Psalms: "The night will shine like the day."

The *Zohar* also states that Hashem resurrected Jacob at the Exodus to witness his descendants' redemption.

*Rabbeinu Bachaye* explains that the Red Sea didn't part at once; it split gradually as the Israelites advanced, causing the sea to retreat. This explains the Psalmist's words "The sea saw and fled."

The verse describing the Egyptians' demise reveals a sole survivor: Pharaoh, witnessing Hashem's greatness. *Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer* mentions Pharaoh survived the sea and later became the king of Nineveh.

Bible commentators profoundly explain the Exodus miracles. Explore Further

Historical Evidence

Rabbi Zamir Cohen provides a lecture featuring fascinating archaeological findings recounting the Israelites' descent into Egypt, the secrets of the pyramids, and the bondage and redemption of Israel:

Historian Will Durant, in his book "The Story of Civilization," acknowledges the employment of Semitic slaves in Egypt during the second and third millennia BCE: "The biblical account of the Jews in Egypt stands up to historical scrutiny with corroboration from monuments and excavations."

Prominent professor David Rohl, in "From Myth to History," details the discovery of an ancient document called the Brooklyn Papyrus. This document records a royal edict transferring a group of slaves within Egypt. Notably, many among the listed slaves bear distinctively Hebrew names like 'Issachar,' 'Asher,' 'Shifra,' and 'Menahem'. This authentic Egyptian document serves as a living testament to our ancestors' plight. Furthermore, the reference to 'Apiru' (often considered synonymous with 'Hebrew') adds to this evidence, as linguists and archaeologists equate the terms.

Anthropologists ponder over a massive influx of Asian slaves (from regions corresponding to ancient Israel) into Egypt. The text states, "The pale complexion of a vast number of these Asiatic slaves contradicts the dark-skinned Egyptian overlords depicted in contemporary art."

The number discrepancy between male and female slaves raises questions. The biblical account attributes this to Pharaoh's decree, "Every son that is born you shall cast into the river."

At the associated archaeological site, a significant portion of baby skeletons under 18 months old was found, further aligning with the biblical narrative of Pharaoh's infanticide order.

To explore more enthralling evidence supporting the Exodus story, click here.

The Timeless Impact

In rituals such as the Kiddush, the *Shema*, *tefillin*, Sukkot, and Passover, we continually remember the mighty acts of Hashem—how he freed us from Egyptian bondage, gave us the Torah, transformed us into a people, and brought us to the land of Israel.

"*Sefer HaChinuch*," in commandment 21, explains the significance of remembering the Exodus: "It is a fundamental and central tenet of our Torah and faith, as it provides undeniable proof of divine intervention. The world's Creator changed natural order for us in Egypt, confirming His existence and power."

This collective memory strengthens our Jewish bond and defines our obligation to the One who performed these wonders for our ancestors and us, bringing us from slavery to freedom.

Gratitude and duty toward our Redeemer embody basic morality. In the first of the Ten Commandments, Hashem proclaims: "I am... who brought you out of Egypt," compelling us to heed his voice.

Rabbi Yosef Ben Porat's enlightening lecture unveils the miraculous oversight during the Exodus and throughout everyday life: