"Now there arose a new king"

Synopsis

This section begins with an interpretation of "Now there arose a new king," found in the book of Rabbi Hamnuna Saba. From this, we learn that the rise to power of any nation is a result of the subjugation of the children of Yisrael, as seen in the examples of Egypt, Babylon, and Rome. This is because the nation of Yisrael is equal to all the other nations combined, and therefore when a nation dominates the children of Yisrael, it's celestial chieftain gains dominion over the chieftains of the other nations.YisraelAccording to Rabbi Chiya, the impending rise or fall of a nation is announced on earth through small children, simple-minded people and the behavior of birds thirty days before the event. While these proclamations usually go unnoticed, if a nation is deserving, the leaders receive news of the imminent disaster so that they can call their people to repent and return to God while there is still time. When a nation falls from power, Rabbi Yitzchak explains, God first punishes its celestial representative. The chieftain passes through a River of Fire, and his power vanishes; then the event is proclaimed above, and later below. This relates to Rabbi Yosi's profound experience, which he describes to Rabbi Elazar, Rabbi Aba, and Rabbi Yehuda while they sit at the gate of Lydda. That morning, Rabbi Yosi tells them, a bird informed him of the raising up of three rulers on earth, and the deposing of an existing ruler. When asked about their identity, the bird threw down three arrows from his right wing, and one from his left wing. On examining these arrows, Rabbi Elazar interprets their significance as an indication of the impending domination of the Egyptians and the children of Israel by three great rulers in Rome. Three children who pass by the Rabbis in succession and announce imminent doom for Egypt reinforce this interpretation. This leads to a discussion of the importance of sages, without whom man would not be able to understand the Torah or God's Commandments.YisraelFinally, Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Shimon discuss "Now there arose a new king," revealing that the "new king" is a reference to the Pharaoh who, like Achashverosh, "arose" through the power of his wealth, and not because he was worthy.

Relevance

When we are enslaved to our own ego, addicted to our materialistic and primal desires, this spiritual reality is reflected in the physical world. In personal terms, the negative attributes and dark side of our nature become strengthened, empowered, rising to new heights of influence ("Now there arose a new king"). Globally, the Children of Yisrael will then find themselves in exile under the rule of another superpower nation. The great Light that shines in a person's soul is then transferred to the governing nation, allowing it to achieve greatness in the world.

When, however, we truly transform our desires from selfish receiving into a genuine desire to share and impart to others, we find our own spiritual greatness. We are liberated. The entire nation of Yisrael rises to great heights, no longer in exile or under the rule of a foreign nation. The other nations of the world subsequently cherish the Children of Yisrael, for they are now receiving their spiritual sustenance.

Here, we elevate the Children of Yisrael (any human being who embraces the spiritual wisdom of the Torah and Zohar) to their ultimate spiritual prominence. The negative forces of darkness dwelling in the Upper Worlds lose their power. Likewise, evil disintegrates here on Earth. Evil nations crumble, corruption ceases, and all humanity recognizes the common spark of divinity that binds all mankind.

Our ego is abolished at the very seed level of its existence. The supernal source of the human ego, the angel called Satan, is crushed and conquered. The nations of the world hold Yisrael dear to their hearts as peace permeates the planet and famine is banished from the planet.

Though we may not be worthy of this miraculous Redemption and transformation, we achieve it on the merit of the sages who love and care for us unconditionally. Their extraordinary Light is ignited with each letter and word of the Zohar that our eyes touch.

Babel Edom Egypt Exile

75. "Now there arose a new king over Egypt" (Shemot 1:8). In the book of Rav Hamnuna Saba, it is written thus, what is the meaning of "now there arose a new king over Egypt?" Come and behold, all the nations of the world and all the kings in the world did not become secure in their dominion save for the sake of Yisrael. Egypt did not rule over the whole world until Yisrael came and entered into exile there. Then they overpowered all the nations of the world. Babylon did not acquire power over all the nations of the world, only so that Yisrael would be in exile by them. Edom acquired power over all the nations of the world only so that Yisrael would be exiled among them. For these nations were once humble among the other nations, and were lower than all of them, and because of Yisrael they became strong.

75. וַיָּקָם מֶלֶךְ חָדָשׁ עַל מִצְרָיִם. בְּסִפְרָא דְּרַב הַמְנוּנָא סָבָא הָכִי אִתְּמַר, מַאי דִּכְתִּיב וַיָּקָם מֶלֶךְ חָדָשׁ עַל מִצְרָיִם, תָּא חֲזֵי, כָּל עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא, וְכָל מַלְכִין דְּעָלְמָא, לָא אִתְתְּקָפוּ בְּשׁוּלְטָנֵיהוֹן, אֶלָּא בְּגִינַיְיהוּ דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, מִצְרַיִם לָא הֲווֹ שַׁלְטִין עַל כָּל עָלְמָא, עַד דְּאָתוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעָאלוּ תַּמָּן בְּגָלוּתָא, כְּדֵין אִתְתָּקָפוּ עַל שְׁאַר עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא. בָּבֶל לָא אִתְתָּקָפוּ עַל כָּל עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא, אֶלָּא בְּגִין דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל דִּלֶּהֶוְיָין בְּגָלְוּתְהוֹן. אֱדוֹם לָא אִתְתָּקָפוּ עַל כָּל עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא אֶלָּא בְּגִינֵיהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, דִּלֶּהֶוְיָין בְּגָלְוּתְהוֹן. דְּהָא עַמִּין אִלֵּין בְּשִׁפְלוּתָא הֲווֹ בִּשְׁאַר עַמִּין, וּמְאִיכִין הֲווֹ מִכֻּלְּהוּ, וּבְגִין יִשְׂרָאֵל אִתְתָּקָפוּ.

Babylon Edom Egypt Egyptians Slavery

76. מִצְרַיִם: דִּכְתִּיב מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים. עֲבָדִים אִקְרוּן מַמָּשׁ, דְּהָא מִצְרַיִם בְּשִׁפְלוּתָא דִּשְׁאַר עַמִּין הֲווֹ. בָּבֶל: דִּכְתִּיב, הֵן אֶרֶץ כַּשְׂדִּים זֶה הָעָם לֹא הָיָה. אֱדוֹם: דִּכְתִּיב הִנֵּה קָטֹן נְתַתִּיךָ בַּגּוֹיִם בָּזוּי אַתָּה מְאֹד.

Angels Earth Egypt Egyptians Exile Slavery

77. And they all received power only on account of Yisrael; for when the children of Yisrael were in exile among them, they immediately become powerful over all the nations in the world. What is the reason? Because Yisrael alone is comparable to all the nations in the world. When the children of Yisrael began their exile in Egypt, Egypt immediately experienced an elevation and their rule was strengthened above all the nations, as it is written, "Now there arose a new king over Egypt." "Arose," MEANS they rose and became strong! And THE ANGEL, who is the minister appointed to the rule of Egypt, was strengthened and rose. He was given power and dominion over all who were appointed over the other nations, because dominion IS GIVEN first to the one who is appointed above and then to his nation below. Therefore, THE VERSE SAYS, "Now there arose a new king over Egypt." This is the one who was appointed over them. He was new, because until that time, he had no dominion over the other nations; then he was raised to rule over all the nations in the world. Then this was fulfilled, "For three things the earth is disquieted...for a slave when he becomes king..." (Mishlei 30:21) BECAUSE THE EGYPTIANS WERE SLAVES.

77. וְכֻלְּהוּ לָא נַטְלוּ תּוּקְפָּא אֶלָּא בְּגִינֵיהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. דְּכַד יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגָלוּתְהוֹן מִיַּד מִתְתַּקְפֵי עַל כָּל שְׁאַר עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא. מ"ט, בְּגִין דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל אִינּוּן בִּלְחוֹדַיְיהוּ, לָקֳבֵל כָּל עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא. כַּד עָאלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגָלוּתָא דְּמִצְרַיִם, מִיָּד הֲוָה קִימָה לְמִצְרַיִם, וְאִתְתָּקַף שׁוּלְטָנוּתָא דִּלְהוֹן לְעֵילָּא עַל כָּל שְׁאַר עַמִּין, דִּכְתִּיב וַיָּקָם מֶלֶךְ חָדָשׁ עַל מִצְרָיִם, וַיָּקָם: קִימָה הֲוָה לוֹן, דְּאִתְתָּקַף וְקָם הַהוּא מְמָנָא שׁוּלְטָנָא דְּמִצְרַיִם, וְאִתְיְיהִיב לֵיהּ תּוּקְפָּא וְשֻׁלְטָנוּתָא, עַל כָּל מְמָנָן דִּשְׁאַר עַמִּין דְּהָא בְּקַדְמֵיתָא אִית שׁוּלְטָנוּתָא לְהַהוּא מְמָנָא דִּלְעֵילָּא, וּלְבָתַר לְעַמָּא דִּילֵיהּ דִּלְתַתָּא. וּבְגִין כָּךְ, וַיָּקָם מֶלֶךְ חָדָשׁ עַל מִצְרָיִם. דָּא הוּא מְמָנָא דִּלְהוֹן, חָדָשׁ הֲוָה, דְּעַד יוֹמָא הָדֵין לָא הֲוָה לֵיהּ שׁוּלְטָנָא עַל שְׁאַר עַמִּין, וְהַשְּׂתָּא אִתְּקַם לְשַׁלְטָאָה עַל כָּל שְׁאַר עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא, וּכְדֵין אִתְקָיָּים תַּחַת שָׁלֹשׁ רָגְזָה אֶרֶץ תַּחַת עֶבֶד כִּי יִמְלוֹךְ.

Children Earth Repentance Righteous

78. Rabbi Chiya said, Thirty days before power comes to a nation on earth or before a crisis comes to a nation on the earth, it is announced in the world. Sometimes it is given over to the mouth of a child, and sometimes to people who have no sense, and sometimes it is given over to the birds and they announce in the world and nobody listens to them. And when people are righteous, it is given over to the leaders, the righteous of the world, so they may notify the people and repent to their Master. And if the people are not righteous, then it is as we said!

78. ר' חִיָּיא אָמַר, תְּלָתִין יוֹמִין עַד לָא יֵיתֵי תּוּקְפָּא לְעַמָּא בְּאַרְעָא, אוֹ עַד לָא תֵּיתֵי תְּבִירוּ לְעַמָּא בְּאַרְעָא, מַכְרִזֵי בְּעָלְמָא הַהוּא מִלָּה, וּלְזִמְנִין דְּאִתְּמְסַר הַהוּא מִלָּה בְּפוּמָא דְּרַבְיֵיא, וּלְזִימְנִין לְאִינוּן בְּנֵי נָשָׁא דְּלֵית בְּהוּ דַּעְתָּא וּלְזִמְנִין מסר הַהוּא מִלָּה אִתְמְסַר בְּפוּמָא דְּעוֹפֵי וּמַכְרִיזֵי בְּעָלְמָא, וְלֵית מַאן דְּיִשְׁגַּח בְּהוּ. כַּד עַמָּא זַכָּאִין, אִתְמְסַר הַהוּא מִלָּה לְאִינוּן רֵישִׁין זַכָּאִין דְּעָלְמָא, בְּגִין דְּיוֹדִיעוּ לוֹן, וִיתוּבוּן לְמָארֵיהוֹן, וְכַד לָאו אִינּוּן זַכָּאִין, הֲוֵי כִּדְקָאמְרַן.

Angels Fire Firmaments Gates Light Morning Pillar

79. Rabbi Elazar was once sitting in the gate of the city of Lod with Rabbi Aba, Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Yosi. Rabbi Yosi said, I will tell you what I saw this morning. I got up with the MORNING light and I saw a bird - THAT IS, AN ANGEL - that was flying. It raised itself three times and lowered itself one time, and was saying: Exalted ones, Exalted ones, on this day the firmaments are soaring. Three upright overseers rule over the world, and one is sitting yet not sitting. HE ALSO WANTS TO STAND AND NOT SIT. He passed through a burning fire, his position is removed and his dominion removed. And three pillars, supernal rulers, stand over the world.

79. ר' אֶלְעָזָר, הֲוָה יָתִיב יוֹמָא חַד אַתַּרְעָא דְלוּד, וַהֲוָה יָתִיב עִמֵּיהּ רִבִּי אַבָּא, וְרִבִּי יְהוּדָה, וְרִבִּי יוֹסֵי. א"ר יוֹסֵי אֵימָא לְכוּ, מַה דְּחָמִית יוֹמָא דָּא בְּצַפְרָא קָמֵית בִּנְהוֹרָא, חָמֵית חַד עוֹפָא, דַּהֲוָה טָאִיס זָקַף לְעֵילָּא תְּלַת זִמְנֵי, וּמָאִיךְ חַד, וַהֲוָה אָמַר, עִלָּאֵי עִלָּאֵי, בְּיוֹמָא דָּא טָסֵי רְקִיעִין תְּלַת מְמָנָן זַקְפִין שָׁלְטָנִין עַל אַרְעָא, חָד יָתִיב דְּלָא יָתִיב, אַעְבְּרוּ לֵיהּ בְּנוּרָא דְּדָלִיק, מְעַבְּרִין קַיָּימֵיהּ, מְעַבְּרִין שֻׁלְטָנֵיהּ, תְּלַת סַמְכִין שַׁלִּיטִין עִלָּאִין, קַיְימִין עַל עָלְמָא.

Earth Nukva Thought Zeir Anpin

80. רָמֵינָא לְהַהוּא עוֹפָא קַלָּא, אֲמֵינָא לֵיהּ עוֹפָא עוֹפָא, אֵימָא לִי תְּלַת דְּקַיְימִין מְמָנָן, וְחַד דְּמְעַבְּרִין שֻׁלְטָנֵיהּ, מַאן אִינּוּן. רָמָא לִי תְּלַת גִּירִין אִלֵּין מִגַּדְפָא יְמִינָא, וְדֵין חַד מִשְּׂמָאלָא, וְלָא יָדַעְנָא מַאי רְמִיזָא.

Blood Colors Earth Egypt Egyptians Evil Fire Flow Ground (Holy) Temple Judgment Light Nukva Rainbow Red Rome White Zeir Anpin

81. Rabbi Elazar took those arrows, lowered them to his nostrils and blood started to flow from them - AN ALLUSION TO JUDGMENT COLORED RED. He said, Surely there are three rulers among the nations standing in THE CITY OF Rome on earth, BECAUSE THEY ARE DRAWN FROM CHESED, GVURAH AND TIFERET OF ZEIR ANPIN, and they will impose evil laws against Yisrael from the side of the Romans. THIS MEANS THAT THE BLEMISH THAT YISRAEL CAUSED IN CHESED, GVURAH AND TIFERET ENABLED THE ROMANS TO DESTROY THE TEMPLE AND TO IMPOSE EVIL DECREES. He took that arrow THAT THE BIRD THREW from its left wing, smelled it, and a black fire burst forth from it. THIS IS THE LEFT COLOR THAT IS UNIQUE TO THE NUKVA WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE THREE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW - WHITE, RED AND GREEN, WHICH COME FROM THE THREE COLUMNS CHESED, GVURAH AND TIFERET, AND DO NOT CONTAIN BLACK. He said, They have deposed the rule of the Egyptians WHO DRAW THE LIGHT OF THE LEFT FROM ABOVE DOWN. In the future, a Roman king will pass through the whole land of Egypt and will appoint in Egypt officers and warriors. He will destroy buildings THAT WERE BUILT AND DRAWN FROM THE LEFT SIDE, and will rebuild ruins THAT WERE DESTROYED BECAUSE THEY WERE FROM THE RIGHT, AND EGYPT HAD NO DESIRE FOR THEM. Rabbi Elazar threw those ARROWS to the ground, MEANING THAT HE DREW THEIR ILLUMINATION FROM ABOVE DOWN. The three arrows fell upon the one from the left side AND THE ONE FROM THE LEFT SIDE WAS BURNT, AND THE THREE ARROWS OF THE RIGHT SIDE REMAINED, AS SHALL BE EXPLAINED.

81. נָסִיב לְהוּ רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, נָחֵית לְהוֹ לִנְחִירוֹי, נָפַק דָּמָא מִנְּחִירוֹי. אָמַר, וַדַּאי תְּלַת שָלְטָנֵי עֲמְמִין קַיְימִין בְּרוֹמִי בְּאַרְעָא, וּזְמִינִין לְמֶעְבַּד גִּזְרִין בִּישִׁין לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, מִסִּטְרָא דְּרוֹמָאֵי. נָסִיב הַהוּא גִּירָא דְּמִגַּדְפָא שְׂמָאלָא, אָרַח, וְנָפַק אֶשָּׁתָא אוּכָמָא מִנֵּיהּ, אָמַר שֻׁלְטָנָא דְּמִצְרָאֵי אַעְדִּיאוּ וְזַמִּין חַד מַלְכָּא דְּרוֹמָאֵי, לְאַעְבְרָא בְּכָל אַרְעָא דְּמִצְרַיִם, וּלְמַנָּאָה בְּמִצְרַיִם רַבְרְבֵי תְּרִיסִין, וְסָתִיר בִּנְיַן, וּבָנֵי סְתִירִין. רָמָא לוֹן ר' אֶלְעָזָר לְאַרְעָא, נַפְלוּ אִלֵּין תְּלַת עַל חַד דְּמִסְטְרָא שְׂמָאלָא.

Cloud Egypt Light Wisdom

82. עַד דְּהֲווּ יַתְבֵי, אַעְבַּר חַד יְנוֹקָא, וַהֲוָה קָארֵי מַשָּׂא מִצְרָיִם הִנֵּה ה' רוֹכֵב עַל עָב קַל וּבָא מִצְרַיִם. אַעְבַּר תִּנְיָינָא חַבְרֵיהּ, וְאָמַר, וְאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם תִּהְיֶה שְׁמָמָה. אַעְבַּר תְּלִיתָאָה חַבְרֵיהּ, וְאָמַר, וְאָבְדָה חָכְמַת מִצְרַיִם. חָמוּ הַהוּא גִּירָא דְּגַדְפָא שְׂמָאלָא דְּאִתּוֹקַד, וּתְלַת אַחֲרָנִין דְּהֲווּ עָלֵיהּ לָא אִתּוֹקְדָן.

Egypt Prophecy Prophets

83. Rabbi Elazar said, That of the bird and that of the boys are all one thing, FOR THE CHILDREN WITH THEIR VERSES ALSO SAID THAT EGYPT - WHICH IS THE LEFT COLUMN THAT ILLUMINATED FROM ABOVE DOWN - WILL BECOME DESOLATE AND WILL BE DESTROYED. This is all a supernal prophecy THAT WAS GIVEN TO BIRDS AND CHILDREN, and the Holy One, blessed be He, wanted to show us the supernal secrets He affected, and this HE HAS SENT TO US. This is what is written, "Surely Hashem Elohim will do nothing, without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).

83. א"ר אֶלְעָזָר, הַאי דְעוֹפָא, וְהַאי דְּדַרְדְּקֵי כֹּלָּא הוּא חַד, וְכֹלָּא נְבוּאָה עִלָּאָה הוּא, וּבָעָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְאַחֲזָאָה לָן, סִתְרֵי עִלָּאֵי דְּהוּא עָבֵיד, הה"ד כִּי לֹא יַעֲשֶׂה ה' אֱלֹהִים דָּבָר כִּי אִם גָּלָה סוֹדוֹ אֶל עֲבָדָיו הַנְּבִיאִים.

Animals Prophets Torah Wisdom

84. Sages are always superior to prophets, because the Holy Spirit sometimes dwells upon prophets and sometimes does not. As for sages, the Holy Spirit is not removed from them even for a moment, and they know what is above and below though they must not reveal. Rabbi Yosi said, Everything pertains to wisdom and the wisdom of Rabbi Elazar IS SUPERIOR to all. Rabbi Aba said, If not for the sages, people would not know what Torah is and what are the commandments of the Master of the World, and there would be no difference between the spirit of man and the spirit of animals.

84. וְחַכִּימֵי עֲדִיפֵי מִנְּבִיאֵי בְּכָל זְמָן, דְּהָא לִנְבִיאֵי לְזִמְנִין שָרַת עָלַיְיהוּ רוּחַ קוּדְשָׁא, וּלְזִמְנִין לָא, וְחַכִּימִין לָא אַעְדֵּי מִנְּהוֹן רוּחַ קוּדְשָׁא אֲפִילוּ רִגְעָא חֲדָא, דְּיַדְעִין מַה דִּי לְעֵילָּא וְתַתָּא, וְלָא בָּעוּ לְגַלָּאָה. א"ר יוֹסֵי כֹּלָּא חָכְמְתָא, וְחָכְמְתָא דר' אֶלְעָזָר יַתִּיר מִכֻּלְּהוּ. רִבִּי אַבָּא אָמַר, אִלְמָלֵא לָא הֲווֹ חַכִּימִין, לָא הֲווֹ יַדְּעִין בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, מַהוּ אוֹרַיְיתָא, וּמַה פִּקּוּדוֹי דְּמָארֵי עָלְמָא, וְלָא אִתְפָּרְשָׁא רוּחָא דִּבְנֵי נָשָׁא, מֵרוּחָא דִּבְעִירָא.

Angels Earth Heaven Heavens Hosts Judges Judgment

Fire Firmaments Judgment River of Fire (Dinur) Rivers

86. HE ASKS, How is Judgment accorded to an appointee above? AND HE ANSWERS, They pass him through the Dinur River that stretches and exits FROM BEFORE HASHEM, and then his dominion is removed. Immediately the announcement that the dominion of a certain appointee has been removed from him reaches the firmament, until it travels throughout the firmaments and reaches those who rule this world, WHO DEPEND UPON THAT APPOINTEE. And the announcement is made throughout the whole world until it reaches the birds and children and those fools among the people who know not WHAT THEY SPEAK.

86. בְּמַאי דִּינָא אִתְּדָּן הַהוּא מְמָנָא דִּלְעֵילָּא. אַעְבְּרוּ לֵיהּ בְּהַהוּא נְהַר דִּינוּר דְּנָגִיד וְנָפִיק, וּכְדֵין אַעְדִּיוּ הַהוּא שׁוּלְטָנוּתָא דִּילֵיהּ, וּמִיַּד מַכְרִיזֵי עָלֵיהּ בִּרְקִיעָא, שׁוּלְטָנוּתָא דִּמְמָנָא פְּלַנְיָא אַעְדִּיוּ מִנֵּיהּ, עַד דְּמָטֵי הַהוּא קַלָּא בְּכָל אִינּוּן רְקִיעִין עַד דְּמָטֵי בְּאִינוּן דְּשַׁלְטִין בְּהַאי עָלְמָא, וְנָפִיק קָלָא וְאַכְרִיז בְּכָל עָלְמָא, עַד דְּמָטֵי לְעוֹפֵי וְלִינוֹקֵי, וּלְאִינוּן טִפְּשִׁין דִּבְנֵי נָשָׁא דְּלָא יַדְעִין.

Egypt Famine Joseph Pharaoh, The Year

87. "Now there arose a new king..." (Shemot 1:8). Rabbi Chiya said, "A new king," MEANS actually LITERALLY new. Rabbi Yosi says THAT IT MEANS that he made new decrees that no king had decreed until now. "Who did not know Joseph" (Ibid.), MEANS THAT HE DID NOT KNOW all the good that Joseph did in Egypt, as is written, "And Joseph brought the money to the house of Pharaoh" (Beresheet 47:14), and he kept them alive during the years of famine. He did not remember and pretended not to know ALL THIS.

87. וַיָּקָם מֶלֶךְ חָדָשׁ. רִבִּי חִיָּיא אָמַר, מֶלֶךְ חָדָשׁ, חָדָשׁ מַמָּשׁ הֲוָה. רִבִּי יוֹסֵי אָמַר דַּהֲוָה מְחַדֵּשׁ גְּזֵירִין, דְּלָא חִידֵשׁ מַלְכָּא אַחֲרָא מִקַּדְמָת דְּנָא. אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַע אֶת יוֹסֵף. כָּל הַהוּא טִיבוּ, דְּעָבֵד יוֹסֵף בְּאַרְעָא דְּמִצְרַיִם, דִּכְתִּיב, וַיָּבֵא יוֹסֵף אֶת כָּל הַכֶּסֶף בֵּיתָה פַרְעֹה. וְקִיֵּים לוֹן בִּשְׁנֵי כַּפְנָא, כָּל הַאי לָא דָּכִיר, וְעָבֵד גַּרְמֵיהּ דְּלָא יָדַע בֵּיהּ.

Angels Egypt Pharaoh, The Torah

88. Rabbi Yosi and Rabbi Yehuda were sitting and studying Torah before Rabbi Shimon. Rabbi Yehuda said, It is written, "Now there arose a new king over Egypt." We learn that he arose of himself, one who was humbled arose TO REIGN EVEN THOUGH he was not worthy of ruling, but by THE POWER OF riches he arose. Rabbi Shimon said, So it was similar to Achashverosh, who was not worthy of ruling but he arose to rule by himself, and he arose by THE POWER OF riches and wanted to destroy Yisrael from the world. This is also the case WITH PHARAOH: he was not worthy of ruling, yet he arose and ruled by himself and wanted to destroy Yisrael from the world, as is written, "And he said to his people...come let us deal wisely with them..." (Shemot 1:9-10). When a king arises above, MEANING THE APPOINTED ANGEL, then a king arises below.

88. רִבִּי יוֹסֵי וְרִבִּי יְהוּדָה, הֲווֹ יַתְבִי וְלָעָאן בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא קָמֵיהּ דר"ש, אָמַר רִבִּי יְהוּדָה, הַאי דִּכְתִּיב וַיָּקָם מֶלֶךְ חָדָשׁ עַל מִצְרָיִם, וְתָנֵינָן, דְּאִיהוּ קָם מִגַּרְמֵיהּ, מַה דַּהֲוָה שָׁפַל, קָם, וְלָא אִתְחָזֵי לְמַלְכָּא, וּבְעוּתְרָא קָם. אָמַר רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, כֹּלָּא הָכִי הוּא, כְּגַוְונָא דְּאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ דְּלָא אִתְחָזֵי לְמַלְכָּא, וְקָם מִגַּרְמֵיהּ, וְקָם בְּעוּתְרָא, וּבָעָא לְאוֹבָדָא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעָלְמָא, אוּף הָכָא, הַאי לָא אִתְחָזֵי לְמַלְכָּא, וְקָם מִגַרְמֵיהּ, וּבָעָא לְאוֹבָדָא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעָלְמָא, דִּכְתִּיב וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל עַמּוֹ וְגוֹ,' הָבָה נִּתְחַכְּמָה לוֹ וְגוֹ,' וְכַד הֲוָה קָם מַלְכָּא לְעֵילָּא, קָם מַלְכָּא לְתַתָּא.