Why the Canaanites Cried Woe When Pharaoh Let Israel Go

Another interpretation of (Exodus 13:17) "And it came to pass when Pharaoh let [the people] go": Who cried "Woe" (vav-yod)? The Canaanites [cried "Woe"]. To what is the matter comparable? To a king who had a small son, and who had an ousia (that is, an orchard). And he sought to go abroad, to a province across the sea. He said to a certain tenant-farmer that he should guard it, and that he should eat of its fruits, until his son should reach his maturity; and afterward he would give it to him. When the king's son grew up, he sought the ousia. Immediately the tenant-farmer began to cry "Woe." So too were Israel in Egypt, while the Canaanites were dwelling and guarding the Land of Israel and eating its fruits. When they heard that Israel had gone out from Egypt, they began to shriek "Woe." [Thus it says,] "And it came to pass when Pharaoh let [the people] go" (Exodus 13:17).