Another interpretation: “This month shall be for you” – that is what is written: “[He brought out His people with joy and his chosen ones with gladness.] He gave them lands…so that they would observe His statutes” (Psalms 105:43–45). God brought the plagues upon the Egyptians: “He sent darkness, and it was dark” (Psalms 105:28); He gradually lowered [the darkness] until it reached Egypt. “Egypt rejoiced at their departure” (Psalms 105:38) – it is analogous to a king whom everyone honored.
To what degree did they honor him? To the extent that they would bring him gifts and would present their gods with them. So, Pharaoh ruled from one end of the world to the other end, and they would bring him gifts and present their gods with them. Then Moses and Aaron came, as it is stated: “Then Moses and Aaron came…” (Exodus 5:1).
He took out his lists29Lists of the names of all the gods. and searched them but did not find this [God’s] name.30See Exodus 5:2: “Pharaoh said: Who is the Lord, that I should heed His voice to send forth Israel? I do not know the Lord, and I also will not send forth Israel.” This is analogous to a servant who was walking with his master…as cited above.31Shemot Rabba 5:14 But the Holy One blessed be He is living and everlasting, as it is stated: “But the Lord God is the true God, He is the living God, and the eternal King” (Jeremiah 10:10).
It is analogous to a poor person who was in the city and stood before the king [to ask for assistance], but he was indifferent [to the poor person’s suffering]. When the affliction affected his own body he said: There is nothing like this. So, the Holy One blessed be He brought plagues upon the Egyptians, but Pharaoh was indifferent. When it afflicted his body, he was affected and began screaming: “The Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked” (Exodus 9:27).
Could the Holy One blessed be He not have rescued Israel from the hand of Egypt with the first plague? Rather, it was to fulfill what is stated: “He exalts the nations and eliminates them” (Job 12:23), and it is written: “He removes the heart of the leaders of the people of the land” (Job 12:24). Why did he say: “The Lord is righteous?” When the plagues came, they came only in the land of Egypt.
Even if a plague was introduced there and entered like [the size of] an almond, the plague would fill all of it but would not touch another field [outside of Egypt]. About this it is stated: “For when Your judgments are on the earth, [the inhabitants of the world] learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). To what was the congregation of Israel comparable? To a king who had a beloved daughter, who was located across the river; the king extended his hand and brought her over and seated her in his chariot, as it is stated: “How beautiful are your steps” (Song of Songs 7:2); “I did not know myself; he placed me on the chariots of my noble people” (Song of Songs 6:12); “He rained meat upon them like dust” (Psalms 78:27); “He led them through the depths” (Psalms 106:9); “the Lord was going before them by day” (Exodus 13:21).32All these verses express ways that God expresses his care for Israel.
All this was due to the merit of Abraham, as it is stated: “For He remembered His holy word unto Abraham His servant; He took out His people with gladness…and He gave them the lands of the nations” (Psalms 105:42–44). Why? “So they would observe His statutes and keep His laws” (Psalms 105:45).