Thought 3 by Rabbi Zweig in the Passover holiday Irrational Ego He harnessed his chariot and he took his people with him (14:6) The Gur Aryeh explains that when the Torah uses the word lakach - he took in reference to objects, it means physically taking. However, when using lakach in reference to people, it refers to a verbal persuasion.1 Therefore, Rashi teaches that Pharaoh was able to persuade his nation to pursue Bnei Yisroel by using the following argument: How can we let Bnei Yisroel go with all our money? Follow me into battle, and we will plunder them and I will divide the spoils with you.2 What needs to be understood is, if the Egyptians were financially motivated, would it not have been a greater incentive to recapture the slaves themselves, who were worth far more than the wealth that they took with them? If one will argue that the ten plagues taught the Egyptians that they were not able to enslave Bnei Yisroel, how could they logically think that they would be able to slaughter Bnei Yisroel and retrieve their money?3 A person can lose money in business in two ways: Although he makes sound business decisions, a person can suffer a loss due to unforeseen circumstances which are beyond his control, or as a direct result of poor business decisions. If a person loses money in the former situation, it is easier for him to write it off than if he loses money in the latter situation. The reason for this is as follows: Losing money due to unforeseen circumstances is not a reflection of a persons business acumen. However, since writing off the losses that resulted from his poor decision-making would directly reflect upon him as a businessman, he continues to pour money into the business in an attempt to salvage his bruised ego. This concept is known as throwing good money after bad money. When the Jews asked the Egyptians for their valuables, Rashi comments that not only did they hand the valuables over willingly, they gave the Jews double.3 Pharaoh realized that attempting to persuade his people to recapture the slaves was futile, for that loss was beyond their control. However, the wealth that they gave willingly and generously doubled was a loss that could be attributed to foolishness. Therefore, Pharaoh appealed to their egos, for in such circumstances, a person will act irrationally. 1.Gur Arye 14:6 2.Rashi ibid. 3.15:9
Posted on: Sun, 13 Apr 2014 22:45:00 +0000
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