Benesivos Emunim
ויאנחו מצרים מלך וימת ההם הרבים בימים ויהי” אל שועתם ותעל ויזעקו העבדה מן ישראל בני (כג ב) “העבדה מן האלקים
Why did Am Yisrael cry out specifically after the death of Pharaoh? The Ramban explained: Throughout the reign of Pharaoh, Am Yisrael waited for his death, with the hope that a new king would rise after him who would nullify the decrees of his predecessor. But when Pharaoh died, and Am Yisrael saw that the new king was as cruel and evil – if not more – than his predecessor, they felt despair and thought there was no hope for them.
The Teshuvos Vehanhagos adds to the Ramban’s explanation, that it can be explained that the cry that emerged from their hearts as a result of the brutality of the new king was not a cry of despair, but rather one of tefillah. Because when they saw that the new king was making the burden even worse, they realized that the reason for their bondage was solely because it was a decree from Above, and they could not pin their hopes on the new king, but rather on the yeshuah of Hashem. As such, they then turned to Him in tefillah, until their cries rose up to Hashem.
From here, we learn a lesson for generations, concludes the baal Teshuvos Vehanhagos, that whenever there is a time of trouble we must not pin our hopes on a regime change, but always only cry out and daven to Hashem to have mercy.
The Tzeror Hamor explained that the cry of Bnei Yisrael was actually before the death of Pharaoh, and because their cries were heard, Pharaoh was punished and died. The passuk is explained as follows: “Vayamas Melech Mitzrayim” – the reason that the king of Egypt was punished and died is because “Vata’al shava’asam el haElokim.”
Rav Yitzchak Arameh, author of Akeidas Yitzchak, further explained: With Pharaoh’s death, all the Egyptians gathered to eulogize him, as was customary, and Bnei Yisrael were also obligated to eulogize and mourn for him as is fitting for servants to do with the passing of their master. At this time, Am Yisrael used the opportunity to gather with their wives and children and to direct their cries as a tefillah to the King of kings. And through that, the gates of Heaven were opened and their tefillah was accepted.
Based on this the Imrei Shammai explained the words in Ana Bekoach: “Shavaseinu kabel ushema tza’akoseinu yodea ta’alumos.” Even when on the outside the real reason for the cry is not apparent, such as with the death of Pharaoh, when it looked like Bnei Yisrael were participating with the Egyptians in their mourning, then, as well, the Yodea Ta’alumos discerned the real reason for their cries and accepted their tefillah.
Peirush HaRamban al haTorah; Tzeror Hamor; Akeidas Yitzchak Sha’ar 34; Panim Yafos; Imrei Shammai; Ta’am Veda’as
