To Strike an Israelite Is to Strike the Divine Presence

"He turned this way and that" (Exodus 2:12). Rabbi Chanina said: an Egyptian who struck an Israelite was liable to death, as it says, "He turned this way and that, and seeing there was no man, he struck down the Egyptian." Rabbi Chanina said: one who slaps the jaw of an Israelite is as though he slaps the jaw of the Divine Presence, as it says, "It is a snare for a man to swallow what is holy" (Proverbs 20:25) [read as: to assault what belongs to the Holy One]. Resh Lakish said: anyone who raises his hand against his fellow, even though he did not strike him, is called wicked, as it says, "And He said to the wicked one, Why do you strike your fellow?" It does not say "Why did you strike," but "Why would you strike." Ze'ira said in the name of Rabbi Chanina: he is called a sinner, as it says, "And if not, I will take it by force" (1 Samuel 2:16), and it is written, "And the sin of the young men was very great." Rav Huna said: let his hand be cut off, as it says, "And the uplifted arm shall be broken" (Job 38:15); Rav Huna would amputate the hand. Rabbi Elazar said: he has no remedy but burial, as it says, "And the man of arm, his is the earth" [read as: such a violent man belongs only in the ground]. "And behold, two Hebrew men were quarreling" (Exodus 2:13). Rabbi Abbahu said: their very heels struck out sparks. "And Moses was afraid and said, Surely the matter is known" (Exodus 2:14). Moses was saying before the Holy One, blessed be He: Master of the universe, why is this nation enslaved more than all the nations in the world? "Surely the matter is known" - this sin shows they are not enslaved for nothing.