Shemot Rabbah, a classic midrashic compilation – a collection of interpretations and expansions on the Book of Exodus (Shemot in Hebrew) – gives us a glimpse behind the curtain. It paints a picture of a God preparing them for a truly daunting task.
"And commanded them concerning the children of Israel…" This seemingly simple phrase, the Midrash tells us, held a weighty truth. The Holy One, blessed be He, wasn't just sending them with a mission. He was giving them a warning: "My children are naysayers, they are irritable, they are burdensome. Accept it upon yourself in full knowledge that they will curse you and they will stone you with stones."
Imagine that! Before they even set foot in Egypt, God is saying, "Brace yourselves. It's going to be rough." He knew the Israelites' pain, their desperation, might be misdirected at their saviors. It's a powerful reminder that even the most righteous leaders face immense challenges and ingratitude.
But it doesn't stop there. The next part is even more surprising: "And concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt, to take the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt…" God instructs them: "Treat him with deference and accord respect to royalty, even though I must execute justice against him."
Respect Pharaoh? The very man enslaving their people? It seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? But the Midrash highlights the importance of upholding social order and showing respect even to those who seem undeserving.
And Moses listened. As the text points out, when Moses relays the prophecy of the exodus, he says, "All these servants of yours will come down to me and will bow down to me, saying: Leave, you and all the people who are with you” (Exodus 11:8). He speaks only of Pharaoh's servants bowing, not Pharaoh himself. Why? To accord respect to royalty, even when delivering a harsh message. Even though later, Pharaoh himself does rise and summon them (Exodus 12:30-31).
Rabbi Yaakov adds another layer to our understanding of the phrase "and commanded them." He suggests it means, "Include the leaders among them with you." As we see later in Exodus 6:14, "These are the heads of their fathers’ houses." Moses and Aaron weren't meant to act alone. They were instructed to work with the established leaders of the tribes.
So, what does this all mean? This passage from Shemot Rabbah isn't just a historical anecdote. It's a lesson in leadership, empathy, and the complexities of dealing with both oppressors and the oppressed. It reminds us that even divinely appointed leaders face immense challenges, and that true leadership requires not only strength and conviction but also humility, respect, and the ability to navigate difficult relationships. And maybe, just maybe, it suggests that even when faced with the most challenging people, a little bit of respect can go a long way.