Pharaoh’s Personality

Pharaoh’s Altering Personality

READER: As Pharaoh followed all Joseph told him, why did he act di erently when Moses and Aaron sought the Jews’ freedom? —Rivkah Nachmias, NY

RABBI: Pharaoh was desperate for a solution to the famine’s onslaught. Joseph devised a plan which catered to Pharaoh’s need to lead. But as Rabbi Israel Chait taught, Pharaoh’s identification with—and dependency on—Joseph, could no longer be realized once Joseph died. Pharaoh’s ego was momentartily depeleted when his alter ego Joseph passed on. To bolster his self-image, Pharaoh denied Joseph’s existence which also translated into anti-Semitism towards all Jews whom he now enslaved. He would pay no heed to any Jew, including Moses. ■

Subscribe to the FREE Jewishtimes.

Subscribe by emailing: Join@Mesora.org