The Scrolls of Hope Pharaoh Tried to Tear From Israel

(Exodus 5:9:) "Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labor at it and not pay attention to lying words." For they had scrolls with which they would delight themselves from Sabbath to Sabbath, saying that the Holy One is our Redeemer. Pharaoh said to them: "Let them not pay attention to lying words" — let them not lean upon them, nor delight themselves with them, nor be at rest. Thus it is stated (Exodus 5:6): "And on that same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters over the people and their officers, saying." He said to them (Exodus 5:7): "You shall no longer give the people straw," and so forth. The Holy One said: Tomorrow I am bringing plagues upon them, and they say, "Pharaoh sins, and we pay." Once Israel went out to bring stubble to make it into straw, the Egyptian would smite him whenever he saw him in the midst of his field. Therefore (Exodus 5:12): "So the people scattered throughout all the land of Egypt," and so forth. (Exodus 5:15:) "Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh," and so forth. What did he answer them? (Exodus 5:17:) "You are lazy, lazy!"