By Rabbi Dovid Sapirman, Dean, Ani Maamin Foundation
The pasuk tells us that once the shevatim died, bnei Yisrael multiplied exceedingly “and the land was filled with them.”
The Midrash brings two very enlightening statements. “R’ Yochanan said: they filled the whole Mitzrayim,” i.e., they moved out of Goshen and began mingling with the Egyptians. Another meaning: “All the theaters and stadiums were filled with them. Immediately, Hashem decreed that the Egyptians would separate themselves [contrary to what one would expect under natural cause and effect].” Already they were sliding down a slippery slope.
In Tehillim, there is an entire perek that reviews the many kindnesses Hashem did for us from the time of the Avos until the nation entered Eretz Yisrael after 40 years in the midbar. Included in this perek is the story of Hashem sending Yosef to Egypt in advance, in order to support his family when they arrived during the famine. Throughout Yetzias Mitzrayim, Hashem performed many miracles: the makkos, the falling of the mann, Be’er Miriam.
But surprisingly, this perek also includes one pasuk that seems to conflict with this theme of chessed: “He turned their hearts to hate His people, to plot against His servants.” The hatred of the Egyptians was a decree from Heaven. Why did Hashem do this? And why is this included in a list of all the chassadim that Hashem did for us?
The Bais Halevi explains that if the Jewish people’s efforts to befriend the Egyptians had succeeded, thus potentially alleviating the decreed slavery, there was a danger that they would have completely assimilated. They would not have been worthy of the ultimate redemption—or the Torah. Therefore, “He turned their hearts to hate His people,” in order to facilitate the geulah.
During Havdalah, we thank Hashem “Who divides between holy and mundane, between light and darkness, between Yisrael and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of creation.” Just as there is an inalterable divider between light and darkness, so too is there an inalterable divider between Yisrael and the nations.
If we remain separated on our own, everything is fine. If we try to push over the line, Hashem causes the nations to push back. This is what happened in Mitzrayim, and it has been repeated throughout the millennia.
