Let My People Go - Pharoah's Order

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Jewish history began a long time ago. Our people have lived in many countries. Throughout Jewish history, angry, frightened and cruel people have wanted to hurt us, but God has given us patience, strength, pride and hope.

The Torah tells us that our ancestor Jacob moved with his family from Canaan to the land of Egypt in order to find a better supply of food. Jacob's son, Joseph, worked for Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. Joseph's wisdom and skill helped all the people in Egypt. Joseph became a respected man. It was the best of times, and the Hebrews grew in number and were happy.

Years passed. A new Pharoah, who did not know about Joseph's good deeds came to power. He was afraid of the large numbers of Hebrews in his country. He was afraid that the Jewish people would turn against him. The Egyptians' way of dealing with their "Jewish Problem" is to enslave the Jews. They are all forced into backbreaking labor, compelled to build cities of treasure houses for Pharaoh.

But still, the Jews continue to multiply, to Pharaoh's eyes, at an ever frightening pace. To put a stop to this, Pharaoh summons the Jewish midwives, Shifra and Puah, and commands them to kill all Jewish newborn males. This, he is certain, will put an end to the propagation of this race. When the midwives defy his order, he commands that all the newborn Jewish males be cast into the Nile — his stargazers had predicted that the savior of the Jews would die through water — in hopes this plan will ensure an early death for any potential Jewish leader.


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story
Source: Adapted from Chabbad.org, Art by Sefira Ross