Torah is called Toras chesed, it is kind and compassionate. Thus, the punishments and retribution is not for the purpose of punishing alone, but on the contrary, in order to bring about a pardon and rehabilitation.
Even by a father and son in this physical world, when the father see’s his son suffering in exile, the father will do everything he possibly can, to relieve his son and liberate him from his pain and suffering; He will certainly not prolong the suffering on account that someone may say something disparaging about him.
If this is the case with a father and son of flesh and blood, in the physical sense, where the father’s mercy for the son is finite – how much greater is the infinite compassion and mercy of the Holy One Blessed be He, our Father in Heaven, on His children, all the Jewish people (as the passuk (Re’eh 14:1) says: You are children of G-d your Lord); To the extent that the Jewish people are compared to an “only child.” (Keser Shem Tov, hosafos # 133).
Considering the mercy and compassion that Hashem has for His children, we ask the compelling question: Is it possible that just because “that tzadik” Avraham Avinu should not say that concerning the decree “they will enslave and they will oppress them” Hashem fulfilled by them, but “afterwards they will depart with great wealth” He did not fulfill by them?! - Will Hashem let His “only son” remain suffering in golus another moment?!
It is clear, that remaining in golus for a little bit more, is not merely to avoid the argument of “that tzadik” – Avraham Avinu, but rather (and primarily) because it is for the gain and benefit of the Jewish people that they should have “great wealth;” Which means that this brings to the Jewish people such great benefits, so much so, that it’s worth to be delayed in golus for this reason.
However, after the golus has extended and continued for so long, more than 1900 years... this rationale of Hashem (needing to yet give “great wealth,”) because He promised that “they will afterwards depart with great wealth” is not valid anymore – because we already have the “great wealth!”
Therefore, the Jewish people cry out: “Ad mosai ketz haplo’os” – when will come the concealed Geula?! (Daniel 12:6); “Ad mosai yechoref tzor” - how long will the adversary revile?!” (Tehilim 74:10 ) - we want the Geula NOW!.
(Shabbos Parshas Vayechi 5747)
. . . They will enslave and they will oppress them. Afterwards they will depart with great wealth. (Lech Lecha 15:13-4).
At Yetzias Mitzrayim, the Israelites were so eager to leave Egypt, they did not care for any of the Egyptians’ possessions.
Hashem says to Moshe: I plead of you, go and say to Israel “I plead of you” request from the Egyptians silver vessels and gold vessels – so that it should not be said by that tzadik Avraham Avinu that concerning the decree “they will enslave and they will oppress them” Hashem fulfilled by them, but “afterwards they will depart with great wealth” He did not fulfill by them?! The Jew’s replied to Moshe: “If only we would go free ourselves!” (Berachos 9a-b)
