Vaeira 6:5 · EXTRA 1 — I have heard the groaning EXTRA

Parashas Vaeira · Side page (no TT primary unit)

The Complete Passuk

וְגַ֣ם ׀ אֲנִ֣י שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי אֶֽת־נַאֲקַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִצְרַ֖יִם מַעֲבִדִ֣ים אֹתָ֑ם וָאֶזְכֹּ֖ר אֶת־בְּרִיתִֽי׃

I have now heard the moaning of the Israelites because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant.

Shemos Rabbah 6:1 — EXTRA.

Core Text

וגם אני שמעתי —\ldots כביכול השתתפתי בצערו.

English: “And I have also heard” — \ldots as it were, I shared in their pain.

On the midrash / in context: The doubled “also I” stresses divine participation in Israel’s suffering.

Custom

Chazal teach that God not only heard but shared in the pain of the oppression.