250115.shemot p.26: Verses 75 - 88
Shemot: Verse 75
"Now there arose a new king over Egypt" (Shemot 1:8). In the book of Rav Hamnuna Saba, it is written thus, what is the meaning of "now there arose a new king over Egypt?" Come and behold, all the nations of the world and all the kings in the world did not become secure in their dominion save for the sake of Yisrael. Egypt did not rule over the whole world until Yisrael came and entered into exile there. Then they overpowered all the nations of the world. Babylon did not acquire power over all the nations of the world, only so that Yisrael would be in exile by them. Edom acquired power over all the nations of the world only so that Yisrael would be exiled among them. For these nations were once humble among the other nations, and were lower than all of them, and because of Yisrael they became strong.
Shemot: Verse 76
Egypt WAS LOWLIER THAN ALL THE NATIONS, for it is written OF THEM, "From the house of bondage" (Shemot 20:2). They are called 'actual slaves,' because the Egyptians were [formerly] lowlier than all the nations. Babylon WAS LOWLY, as it is written, "Behold the land of Chaldeans; this people was not" (Yeshayah 23:13). Edom WAS LOWLY, as it is written, "Behold, I make you small among the nations; you are greatly despised" (Ovadyah 1:2).
Shemot: Verse 77
And they all received power only on account of Yisrael; for when the children of Yisrael were in exile among them, they immediately become powerful over all the nations in the world. What is the reason? Because Yisrael alone is comparable to all the nations in the world. When the children of Yisrael began their exile in Egypt, Egypt immediately experienced an elevation and their rule was strengthened above all the nations, as it is written, "Now there arose a new king over Egypt." "Arose," MEANS they rose and became strong! And THE ANGEL, who is the minister appointed to the rule of Egypt, was strengthened and rose. He was given power and dominion over all who were appointed over the other nations, because dominion IS GIVEN first to the one who is appointed above and then to his nation below. Therefore, THE VERSE SAYS, "Now there arose a new king over Egypt." This is the one who was appointed over them. He was new, because until that time, he had no dominion over the other nations; then he was raised to rule over all the nations in the world. Then this was fulfilled, "For three things the earth is disquieted...for a slave when he becomes king..." (Mishlei 30:21) BECAUSE THE EGYPTIANS WERE SLAVES.
Shemot: Verse 78
Rabbi Chiya said, Thirty days before power comes to a nation on earth or before a crisis comes to a nation on the earth, it is announced in the world. Sometimes it is given over to the mouth of a child, and sometimes to people who have no sense, and sometimes it is given over to the birds and they announce in the world and nobody listens to them. And when people are righteous, it is given over to the leaders, the righteous of the world, so they may notify the people and repent to their Master. And if the people are not righteous, then it is as we said!
Shemot: Verse 79
Rabbi Elazar was once sitting in the gate of the city of Lod with Rabbi Aba, Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Yosi. Rabbi Yosi said, I will tell you what I saw this morning. I got up with the MORNING light and I saw a bird - THAT IS, AN ANGEL - that was flying. It raised itself three times and lowered itself one time, and was saying: Exalted ones, Exalted ones, on this day the firmaments are soaring. Three upright overseers rule over the world, and one is sitting yet not sitting. HE ALSO WANTS TO STAND AND NOT SIT. He passed through a burning fire, his position is removed and his dominion removed. And three pillars, supernal rulers, stand over the world.
Shemot: Verse 80
I threw a clod of earth towards that bird and I said to it: Bird, Bird, tell me of the three who are appointees and the one who was removed from rulership. Who are they? It cast three arrows at me from the right wing, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF ZEIR ANPIN, and one from the left, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE NUKVA. I did not know to what it was alluding - MEANING I DID NOT KNOW THE NEW THOUGHT IT WAS TRYING TO TEACH ME.
