Parashat Bo

Overview
Nine plagues have been endured by the Egyptians. Pharaoh is still refusing to allow the people to leave Egypt. God then tells Moses to tell take from the Egyptians objects of silver and gold. While most commentators state that these objects were not stolen, the question has been constantly in the forefront of discussions on this parashat. By going into the meaning of some of the Hebrew we can shed some light on this subject, and maybe clarify the discussion.

Questions for Discussion

1.

Commentators through the ages have been discussing the Israelite's behavior in this incident and do not all agree. What do you see that might be the reason for this?

The translation of the Hebrew in this passage is ambiguous enough that people can make it say what they want to make the point that they want to make. The Hebrew sha'al can mean 'borrow,' 'ask for' or 'demand'.

2.

How would one look at the passage and decide which fits best?

Read over Exod. 11:2-3. Note how the translation you are using presents the word.

• The people and Moses are well thought of by the Egyptians, so it seems they would not need to 'demand.'
• Moses knew they were not coming back so 'borrow' doesn't fit well.
• But doesn't 'ask for' almost seems too easy.

"Speak na in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor...objects of silver and objects of gold." (Exod. 11:2). In the school of R. Yannai it is taught, "The word na implies entreaty. Thus the Holy One said to Moses, I beg you, go and say to Israel: Please, ask the Egyptians for objects of silver and object of gold, so that the righteous Abraham should not complain, "The one promise -- 'They shall serve them, and they shall afflict them' [Gen. 15:13] -- God did fulfill for my children; but the other promise -- 'Afterward they shall come out with great substance' [Gen. 15:14] -- He did not fulfill for them. The Israelites replied to Moses, "If only we ourselves could get out!" Their reply may be illustrated by the story of a man in prison who was told: Tomorrow you will be released from prison and be given plenty of money. The man replied, "Let me go free today, and I will ask for nothing more."

B. Ber 9a-b From The Book of Legends: Legends from the Talmud and Midrash. page 20 #68
Ed. by Hayim Nahman Bialik and Yehoshua Hana Ravnitzky. Translated by Wm. G. Braude

4.
The author of this passage seems to be saying that the people were most interested in leaving. Why would they even bother to stay long enough to ask for silver and gold?

• If the delay too long maybe Pharaoh would change his mind and make them stay (again). Maybe this time they would never get out.

R. Jose says that the Egyptians trusted the Israelites because they did not rob their homes when Egypt was under the plague of darkness. Therefore the objects were freely given as gifts.

Rashbam says that "they merely asked for it, and the Egyptians responded by giving them gifts."

Nahum Sarna, however, says that the silver and gold objects were not gifts, "but rather spoils of a justified Jewish victory over the Egyptians."

Nachmanides says that the objects were given out of a sense of guilt on the part of the Egyptians.

Umberto Cassuto says that justice demanded payment from the Egyptians for years of slavery.

5.
Do you think that the Israelites ever forgave the Egyptians for centuries of forced labor? What is necessary for the two sides in this situation to make up? Can you name some more modern day situations that parallel this biblical one?

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