שמות, פרק א׳, פסוק ו׳

The era of the founding fathers comes to a close, bringing an end to the peaceful years the Israelites enjoyed in Egypt. The passing of this initial group is not merely a historical marker, but the outline of a gradual decline. One by one, the walls of protection surrounding the nation are removed, ultimately paving the way for their enslavement.

The passing of Joseph is emphasized to mark the exact starting point of this vulnerability. As long as he was alive, the Israelites lived in comfort and tranquility [אור החיים]. Joseph passed away before the rest of his brothers, a consequence of his acting with lordship and authority, or perhaps because he remained silent when his brothers referred to their father Jacob as his servant [הדר זקנים, תורה תמימה, פרדס יוסף]. Yet, despite holding immense power as a ruler in Egypt, he maintained his deep righteousness until his final day, just as he had in his youth [צאינה וראינה בשם רש״י]. Furthermore, his departure from the world is viewed as an act of divine mercy. God often removes righteous individuals before times of tragedy and harsh decrees, sparing them the pain of witnessing the suffering of their people [שפתי כהן, אבן עזרא].

Following Joseph, the death of his brothers marks another significant drop in the standing of the Israelites. As long as even a single brother remained alive, the Egyptians maintained a level of respect for the family and did not dare subject them to forced labor [אור החיים].

Eventually, that entire generation passed away, a term encompassing all the people living during that era, which could include both fathers and sons [רש ר הירש, אבן עזרא, רלב״ג]. Commentators offer different perspectives on exactly which group of people this refers to. One approach suggests it speaks of the Israelites themselves, specifically the original seventy individuals who came down to Egypt and their children born in Canaan [רשב״ם, ספורנו, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Having grown up in the land of Israel, they were deeply rooted in faith, relying entirely on God for rain and survival. This stood in stark contrast to the Egyptians, who depended on the predictable laws of nature and the steady flow of the Nile. The death of this faithful generation triggered a spiritual decline as the Israelites slowly became influenced by Egyptian culture [חומש קה״ת], though they never fell into complete moral corruption during their lifetimes [ספורנו].

Another perspective argues that the generation in question actually refers to the Egyptians. The local population of that era remembered Joseph's greatness and the prosperity he brought to their land. Out of deep gratitude, they prevented any ruler from harming the Israelites. Only after that specific Egyptian generation died could a new king arise who ignored Joseph's legacy and enslaved the nation [אבן עזרא, רלב״ג, ביאור יש״ר]. A third view blends these ideas, suggesting that the passing of the generation refers simultaneously to both the Israelites and the Egyptians [חזקוני].

Ultimately, the loss of Joseph, his brothers, and the surrounding generation completely stripped away the status and physical protection the Israelites once enjoyed [מלבי״ם]. However, even as their human defenders disappeared, God remained closely with them [צאינה וראינה בשם רבנו בחיי, תולדות יצחק]. The departure of the old guard made room for a massive realization of the ancient blessing of fertility given to Adam, Noah, and Abraham [קאסוטו]. The void left by the founding generation was immediately filled by a rapid and extraordinary population explosion. Ironically, it was this very growth that served as the final catalyst, igniting the jealousy of the Egyptians and setting the stage for the bitter enslavement [אור החיים].