EXOD102 Do you really want to help a fellow human being in trouble or need? By all means help him. Deeds of loving – kindness, g'milath hassidim, are one of the pillars on which man's world rests. But make sure your timing is right. Beware of this person's emotional state and your own true intentions, and let a sense of tact direct you. We can learn this from Moses our Master. The first time he came to Pharaoh to ask for the freedom for the Israelites, Pharaoh responded with cruelty: the Hebrews had to work the harder. Moses complained to the Almighty, "ume'oz, for since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he has done evil to these people, and Thou hast not rescued Thy people at all." (this verse]. The core of his plaint lay in the word me'oz, "from the time that": Moses objected that his visit to Pharaoh was mistimed; he was sent to Pharaoh when the monarch was disposed only to cruelty. And perhaps in the response of the Almighty there was an answer to this very point: "attah, now show you see what I will do to Pharaoh…" (Exodus 6:1). He may have meant: Whatever you will see Me do to Pharaoh, it will always be attah, "now," when the right moment comes.

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD103 See [[EXOD102]] Exodus 5:23 since SINAI2 159

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD104 We should sympathize with the problems of others even when we ourselves are suffering. Rabbi Moshe Sofer, author of Chasam Sofer, explained that by also is meant that not only God, but the people also heard one another's cries. Even though the entire Jewish people were enslaved and afflicted, they did not forget the plight of their fellow man. Never say to someone, "I have my own problems. I don't want to hear about yours." If two people are in a hospital, each should take an interest in the other's condition."

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD105 Possession of the land is not taken by some arrogant exercise of power which could mislead people into believing and acting as if they were truly the absolute owners of the land. The land is God's gift to Israel (this verse). Moreover, this a gift is not related to any human claim (except perhaps to the unrighteousness of other nations) nor to any special merits of the people of Israel. It is given as a result of God's promise to the forefathers (Deuteronomy 9:4-6).

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD106 See [[EXOD81]] Exodus 4:10 slow AMEMEI 47

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD107 Remember how you yourself suffered if you are called upon to help someone else in a similar situation. The Talmud Yerushalmi (Rosh Hashanah 3:5) states that God commanded Moshe and Aharon to tell the Children of Israel to heed their obligation of freeing slaves on the Jubilee year. At first glance, it seems difficult to understand the necessity of teaching this law while the Jewish nation was still in Egypt, since the laws of the Hebrew slave world apply only once they possessed slaves, after entering the land of Israel. Rabbi Chayim Shmuelevitz explained that at this particular moment the children were enslaved; they felt the anguish and slavery and yearning for freedom. They should remember this very feeling when they themselves would have slaves, and should not hesitate to free them. Whenever a person suffers, he should remember this feeling when he is called upon to help someone else in a similar situation.

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD108 There is an obligation to honor any king, even a king of one of Nations. This obligation is derived from [this verse]. Rashi explains that Hashem commanded Moshe and Aharon to honor Pharaoh [i.e. they should show respect to him in all that they spoke --Rashi on (this verse) in Sefaria.org].

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD109 Who is honored? One who honors his fellow human beings (Ethics of the Fathers 4:1). … Marks of distinction (in Hebrew, kavod) accorded to individuals are represented in Talmudic literature as tokens of self-respect or honor of self. The Hebrew term kavod has been used to refer to the splendor of God, who is sometimes referred to as Hakavod -- The Glorious One. God imparts His glory and splendor to those who revere Him, especially the prophets and the righteous. Just as God bestows His kavod, so Jews are bidden to show honor to worthy people. It is natural for people to seek honor from their fellow human beings. However, the rabbis consistently warn that honor cannot be acquired by the one who pursues it. In fact the more one chases after honor, the more honor will allude that person. Only if one seeks to avoid honor will it pursue him. ... There is an obligation to honor any king. This obligation is derived from [this verse]. Rashi, commenting on this verse, explains that God commanded Moses and Aaron to honor Pharaoh.

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD110 Does not "the daughter of Aminadav" tell me that she was the sister of Nachson? Why need it be explicitly mentioned? To teach that when one marries a woman he should inquire after her brothers [their characters generally being similar] (Bava Bathra 110a)

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

EXOD111 R. Elazar said: One should always ally himself with the good [families]. For Moses, who married the daughter of Jethro, there descended from him Yehonathan [who was a priest of idolatry]; whereas Aaron, who married the daughter of Aminadav, there dissented from him Pinchas (Bava Bathra 109b).

SHOW FULL EXCERPT