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Bo - Shlishi

Most Egyptians Are Actually Pretty Smart

Pharaoh called Moshe and Aharon. "Fine!" he yelled, "You can take the children with you. Just leave the flocks behind."

"No can do," Moshe replied (loosely translated). "We'll need them in order to offer sacrifices to G-d. We won't know exactly what we'll need until we get there, so we have to bring everything to be on the safe side."

Pharaoh wasn't having it. "Forget it! This conversation is ended for good! If I ever see you again, you'll die."

"As you wish," said Moshe. "I'm outta here."

G-d told Moshe that it was time for the Grand Finale, after which the Jews would be released. In anticipation of their departure, the Jews were to ask the Egyptians for gold and silver - essentially their wages for centuries of servitude. Unlike Pharaoh, the Egyptians were pretty impressed by the frogs and the hail and the darkness, so they gladly complied.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz