But the rabbis of the Midrash, those brilliant interpreters of our tradition, saw so much more.

Bereshit Rabbah, that treasure trove of rabbinic thought, delves into this very verse, asking, what exactly does it mean that Pharaoh was afflicted? To answer this, the Midrash embarks on a beautiful, almost poetic, comparison. It begins with a verse from Psalms 92:13: “The righteous man flourishes like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon he grows tall].”

Now, what do a palm tree and a cedar have to do with Pharaoh and Sarah? Everything, according to this Midrash!

The Midrash points out that both the palm and the cedar are straight, without bends or bulges. This represents the inner character of the righteous, their integrity and uprightness. The righteous, like these trees, are straightforward in their dealings. Their hearts are aimed directly towards the Holy One, blessed be He. As we find in Psalms 25:15, "My eyes are always toward the Lord, as He draws my feet out of the net.”

And it doesn't stop there! Just as the shade of a palm and cedar extends far, so too does the reward of the righteous, reaching far into the World to Come. And just as these trees have "desire" (and here, the Midrash is referring to the way palm trees need both a male and female in order to bear fruit), so too the righteous yearn for the Holy One. As it is written, “I hoped for the Lord” (Psalms 40:2).

Rabbi Tanhuma even shares a story to illustrate this point: a palm tree in Ḥamtan wouldn't produce fruit until a palm farmer realized it was yearning for a male palm from Jericho! Once pollinated, it flourished. It’s a beautiful metaphor for how we, too, can flourish when connected to what we truly desire – a connection to the Divine.

But the Midrash doesn't shy away from potential challenges. Someone might argue, aren't palm trees rather useless? Vessels aren't made from them. But the Midrash is quick to counter: "Like a cedar!" Cedarwood is used for vessels. Okay, but then what about the fact that cedars don’t bear fruit? The Midrash responds: "Flourishes like a palm tree!" The Midrash is weaving a complex tapestry, showing us that different righteous individuals have different strengths.

And the analogy goes even further. The Midrash explains that every part of the palm tree is useful: dates for eating, fronds for praise (waved during Hallel on Sukkot), branches for roofing, fibers for ropes, leaves for sieves, even the large beams are used for roofing houses! Similarly, every single Jew has a purpose: some are masters of Bible, some of Mishna, some of Talmud, and some of aggada (storytelling). No one is wasted.

Finally, the Midrash delivers a powerful warning: just as climbing a palm or cedar without caution leads to a fall, so too, anyone who comes to harm Israel will face consequences. Pharaoh’s affliction? It was a direct result of taking Sarah, even for a single night.

So, what can we take away from this deep dive into a single verse? It’s a reminder that righteousness isn't just about following rules. It’s about inner integrity, unwavering faith, and recognizing the value in every single person. And perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that our actions have consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us.