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5760 When speaking of the plague of dever [animal diseases], the posuk says ‘bimiknicha asher basodeh’ - the livestock in the fields. Why does the posuk say the livestock in the fields here, whereas later the posuk says that ‘all the livestock died’ indicating even the ones in the stables? Ramban says---- the Mitzriyim thought that shepherding was a sinful profession as they considered animals deities, so they left all their livestock outside the city near Goshen and the Jews. Therefore almost all the livestock were outside, so the posuk says ‘the livestock in the fields’. Rabinu Bachayaa---explains that normally animals are outside. He learns this from the posuk ‘bosar basodeh tireifa’ which is written when the Torah describes not eating tireifa meat (which is meat from an animal that is missing an organ etc.). The posuk there uses the added word basodeh - in the field, indicating that being in the field is the normal state for an animal so here too it says it that way. --------------------------------------------------------------- 5759 The posuk states "Vihotzaisi eschem meetachas sivlos mitzrayim"; and I will redeem you from under the burdensome yoke of Egypt. Chazal identify the word "Vihotzaisi", redemption, as the first of the four Lishonos of Geula. The Ramban elucidates the four Lishonos of Geula are ascending in greatness. Initially the nation is redeemed from the opressive labor, subsequently they are rescued from the basic work, liberated from Egypt and secured as the nation of Hashem. Following the four Leshonos of Geula, the posuk continues with "Viydatem ki ani Hashem Elokaichem Hamotzi eschem meetachas sivlos mitzrayim"; and you will know that I am Hashem, your Elokim, who has redeemed you from under the burdensome yoke of Egypt. Why is only the lowest of the four Lishonos of Geula used for Klal Yisroel’s recognizing Hashem? The Chasam Sofer addresses this question. Klal Yisroel had issues with Moshe Rabeinu; ‘Why did you take us out? Why couldn’t we stay in Mitzrayim? At least there we got food for the work we did.’ Bnei Yisroel did not desire the oppressive hardships of Mitzrayim again. On the other hand, they felt it was better to procure sustenance in exchange for basic work in Egypt then to die in the desert. Klal Yisroel thought they required only the release from the oppressive labor, the first level of the Geula. They did not understand that to reach their true purpose in this world, the other three Geulas were also necessary. The Chasam Sofer points out that the "Viydatem" the knowledge of Hashem as their saviour, was only understood by Klal Yisroel from the "Vihotzaisi", the redemption from the oppressive labor. As a preface to the four Lishonos of Geula, the posuk starts with the words ‘Ani Hashem (ykvk)’. When Hashem spoke of the Geula, he uses the name ‘ykvk’ meaning total Midas Harachamim. This indicates that Klal Yisroel was liberated by the mercy of Hashem and not due to any zechusim other than their future acceptance of the Torah. Interestingly, when the posuk speaks of "Viydatem", the recognizance of Hashem from his act of ‘Vihotzasi’, it uses the name of Elokim denoting Midas Hadin. When Klal Yisroel remembers the ‘Vihotzasi’, the redemption from the oppressive labor, they perceive it as justice; a deserving liberation.                                                  |