Dear Rabbi,
I have often wondered if Pharoah’s palace and all the taskmasters and leader’s homes were plundered or if these key individuals gave of their substance as well based on the following two scriptures:
Exodus 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
36 And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
Looking forward to hearing your response!
Answer:
No specific mention is made by the verses of Egyptian taskmasters or of Pharaoh himself in the “borrowing” of Egyptian jewels, silver and gold. It does not appear that the palace was plundered or that the possessions of the taskmasters were taken over and above those of other Egyptians.
The taking of the Egyptian possessions fulfilled the initial promise to Abraham, where Hashem stated that the nation will ultimately depart Egypt “with great wealth.”
A Midrashic source adds that the taskmasters were punished for their evil at the sea; the more righteous Egyptians perished without suffering, whereas the evil ones who persecuted the Israelites died a pained death. However, the verses themselves make not mention of this point.
Best wishes.
