Four Merits That Kept Israel Pure in Egypt

(Exodus 3:8-22) "And each woman shall ask of her neighbor" (Exodus 3:22). Rabbi Eleazar HaKappar says: Israel held four commandments in their hand for which the whole world is not worthy. They were not suspected regarding forbidden sexual relations, as it is said, "And the son of an Israelite woman went out" (Leviticus 24:10) - to make known the praise of Israel, that there was only this one case alone, and Scripture publicized it. And it is explained in the tradition (Song of Songs 4:12), "A locked garden, a locked spring." "A locked garden" - these are the males. "A locked spring" - these are the females. Rabbi Nathan says: "A locked garden" - these are the married women; "a locked spring, a sealed fountain" - these are the betrothed women.