Pharaoh the Captor on the Gallows and the Sigh of Va-Yehi

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Beshalach 4:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation [of (Exodus 13:17) "And it came to pass (va-yehi) when Pharaoh let the people go"]. To what is the matter comparable? To a king whose son was taken captive. He clothed himself in vengeance against his enemies, and he went and brought him back. He took the captor and hanged him upon a gallows. He began to torment him, and he said: Why did you do this to my son? While he was tormenting him, the captor began to confess. The king said: Woe (vai) that this one has confessed! I was seeking to torment him greatly, but he confessed at once. So he gave him a sentence of reprieve. So too Pharaoh, who enslaved Israel in Egypt. The plagues began to come upon him, yet he did not let Israel go; only after all the plagues had come upon him did he begin to let them go. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Woe (vai) that he has let them go! (Exodus 13:17) "And it came to pass (va-yehi) when Pharaoh let the people go."

Themes

ExodusPlagues

Biblical References

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