According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, when Abraham and his entourage finally arrived back in Canaan, they made a point of seeking out the same lodgings they'd used before. Why? Not just to settle their bills, but to set an example. The message was clear: don't go chasing after something new unless you absolutely have to. There's a certain comfort and ethical responsibility in honoring your commitments and revisiting familiar places.
But what about their time in Egypt? Was it just a detour? Not at all. Abraham's sojourn there had a profound impact. He demonstrated to the Egyptian wise men just how "empty and vain" their views were. It's a strong statement, isn't it? But it speaks to Abraham's role as a teacher and a beacon of new ideas. And it wasn't just philosophy. Abraham also introduced the Egyptians to astronomy and astrology – fields previously unknown in the land of the Pharaohs. Imagine the intellectual revolution he sparked!
Speaking of Pharaohs, did you know that the title itself might have an interesting origin story? The Legends of the Jews connects the first Pharaoh to a rather unfortunate meeting with Abraham. Apparently, this ruler was the first to bear the name, and subsequent kings were named after him.
So, where does the name "Pharaoh" come from? The tale takes us back to a man named Rakyon, also known as Have-naught. He was said to be wise, handsome, but desperately poor, living in the land of Shinar (often associated with ancient Mesopotamia). Rakyon, struggling to survive, decided to seek his fortune in Egypt. He hoped to impress King Ashwerosh, son of 'Anam, with his wisdom and rise to prominence.
But Egypt wasn't exactly rolling out the red carpet. Rakyon soon discovered that the king remained secluded in his palace, only appearing in public once a year to receive petitions. Disappointed and penniless, Rakyon found himself spending his nights in ruins, his stomach rumbling. How was he ever going to make a living?
Desperate, he tried selling vegetables. Unfortunately, lacking knowledge of local customs, he was quickly robbed and ridiculed. Can you imagine his frustration? Another night in the ruins, another empty stomach.
But Rakyon wasn't one to give up easily. A "sly plan" began to form in his mind. He gathered a group of thirty "lusty fellows" (quite the crew, right?) and took them to the graveyard. There, he instructed them to charge a hefty fee – two hundred pieces of silver – for every burial, claiming they were acting on the king's orders. Anyone who refused to pay would be denied interment.
Incredibly, the scheme worked! Within eight months, Rakyon amassed a great fortune in silver, gold, and precious gems. He even acquired a personal army of armed and mounted men. From Have-naught to a wealthy and powerful figure – quite the transformation!
While the story doesn't explicitly state that Rakyon became Pharaoh, it suggests a link between his rise to power, his cunning, and the origin of the title. It's a reminder that even the most powerful positions can have humble and unexpected beginnings. And perhaps, a cautionary tale about the allure and potential pitfalls of acquiring wealth and power through less-than-scrupulous means. It leaves you wondering: is this a story about ambition, survival, or something else entirely?