Why Pharaoh Spoke Harshly and Aaron Cast Down the Rod

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vaera 13:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of "When Pharaoh speaks to you" (Exodus 7:9): The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Tomorrow I am bringing My children out of Egypt and giving them the Torah, and in it is written, "If there arises in your midst a prophet, etc." (Deuteronomy 13:2). It is only just that he should demand of you and say to you, "Produce a wonder for yourselves, etc." At first he speaks to you harshly, for the expression "he speaks" (yedabber) is nothing but an expression of harshness, as it is said, "The man, the lord of the land, spoke to us harshly" (Genesis 42:30). He said to him: Aaron shall be the one doing these things, while you stand like a prince decreeing upon the elders, and they carry it out, as it is said, "And you shall say to Aaron: Take your rod and cast it down before Pharaoh, etc." (Exodus 7:9).

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