Another matter, “it was when Pharaoh let the people go” – that is what is written: “So said the Lord of hosts: The children of Israel and the children of Judah are oppressed…their Redeemer is mighty, the Lord of hosts is His name” (Jeremiah 50:33–34). To what is this matter analogous? [It is analogous] to a person who had an orchard. Another said to him: ‘Sell me this orchard.’ He sold it to him for a maneh,4One hundred dinar. but the owner of the orchard had not known what was in it.
They said to him: ‘For how much did you sell the orchard?’ He said to them: ‘For a maneh.’ They said to him: ‘It has one hundred maneh of olive trees, one hundred maneh of grapevines, one hundred maneh of pomegranate trees, varieties of spices worth one hundred maneh, and likewise, each and every species worth one hundred maneh.’ They said to him: ‘Did you not know what you were selling, and what was in the orchard?’
“Henna with spikenard plants, spikenard and saffron” (Song of Songs 4:13–14); had the buyer acquired only the springs that were in it, it would have sufficed, as it is stated: “A spring of gardens, a well of spring water, and flowing streams from Lebanon” (Song of Songs 4:15). The seller began regretting [his sale]. So it was with Pharaoh. When he let Israel go, they were of no value to him.
His senior advisers said to him: ‘What have you done? If they had only the loot, that would suffice for them,5Even if only for the objects that they borrowed from the Egyptians (see Exodus 12:35–6), that would be enough for their return to be a national priority. as it is stated: “A mixed multitude, too, ascended with them, [and flocks and herds, even very much cattle]” (Exodus 12:38). Moreover, numerous wealthy people were among them, numerous wise men and numerous artisans, as it is stated: “Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates” (Song of Songs 4:13).6Just as pomegranates are full of seeds, Israel is full of valuable assets.
There were numerous men, women, and children. It is stated: “And all their captors held them, [they refused to let them go]” (Jeremiah 50:33). What is written thereafter? “Their Redeemer is mighty, the Lord of hosts is His name” (Jeremiah 50:34).
At that moment7When his advisors said: “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” (Exodus 14:5). [Pharaoh] began crying: “Woe, woe [vai vai].” “It was [vayhi] when Pharaoh let [the people] go.”