Why the Jews Were Redeemed from Egypt

Our Sages reveal that the merit that led to the redemption of the Children of Israel from Egypt was the fact that they did not change their names, their language, or their mode of dress. This teaching raises an obvious question: we have never heard of a commandment that obligates us not to change our name, our language, or our clothing. How, then, could these actions constitute such a great merit, that they alone were the reason for redemption?

The words of our Sages can be understood in a deeper and more profound way.

The Power of Avoiding Negative Influence

Maimonides writes in Hilchot De’ot (Chapter 6) that it is human nature to be influenced by one’s surroundings, and therefore a person must distance themselves from negative company. Avoiding harmful social influence is not one of the formal commandments, yet its importance may even exceed that of the commandments. For since we are obligated to serve God and observe the mitzvot, it follows that we are also obligated to flee from anything that weakens or distances us from the service of God.

Accordingly, those who succeed in not being drawn after a corrupt society possess an exceptionally high spiritual standing. As the verse states: “The sons of Tzadok, who kept the charge of My Sanctuary when the Children of Israel strayed from Me — they shall approach Me to serve Me” (Yechezkel 44:15)

Because they preserved the integrity of their service of God and did not follow the masses who erred and distanced themselves from divine service, God valued them and chose them to serve Him.

Names, Language, and Dress as Signs of Inner Separation

This may be the true intent of our Sages. The real reason Israel was redeemed was that they succeeded in separating themselves from Egyptian society to the point that they were not influenced by it at all. When the Sages list three actions of maintaining their names, language, and clothing, the intention is not that meticulous observance of these three details alone brought redemption.

Rather, these were signs indicating something deeper: that Israel preserved their inner identity completely and allowed no foreign influence to penetrate them. The proof is that even in external expressions of speech, clothing, and names, no change took place.

Remaining Faithful Even to One’s Employer

There is an even deeper aspect to this merit. When a person works for an employer, human nature inclines one to admire and imitate them, since one depends on their goodwill and compassion. As a result, the influence of an employer can be particularly powerful. Therefore, one who is careful not to adopt the behaviors or values of such a figure attains an even higher spiritual level.

This may also explain Yaakov’s words when he encounters his brother Esav. One of the first things Yaakov says is, “I lived with Lavan.” The commentators explain that Yaakov meant that he remained faithful to observing the 613 commandments despite living with the wicked Lavan. According to our explanation, the emphasis may be even stronger: Lavan was Yaakov’s employer. Resisting negative influence under such conditions reflects an especially elevated level of integrity.

This understanding sheds new light on the greatness of the Children of Israel. Despite the Egyptians being their masters, they succeeded in not being drawn after them and remained loyal to their values and identity.

A Contemporary Workplace Challenge

Many people today work in environments where the surrounding figures do not serve as positive spiritual role models. Such individuals face a real conflict: how can one avoid negative influence from the environment — especially when it comes from authority figures?

Unfortunately, influence is real and often subtle. It may not be noticeable at first, but over time it can express itself through changes in dress or speech, which gradually become less refined.

Learning from Our Forefathers

The deeds of the forefathers are a sign for their descendants. We must learn from them to safeguard our values and principles, not to be drawn after those around us, and to emerge from challenging environments exactly as we entered them, by retaining the same standards of dress and speech.

Those who withstand this test undoubtedly stand on a very high spiritual level, and they too will merit God’s blessing and redemption from all their personal “Egypts” and challenges.