THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PERFORMING WONDERS IN EGYPT
Who are Yuchni and Mamrei?
Rashi: They were the chief witches in Egypt.
Maharal: Yuchni acted via Shedim, and Mamrei did Kishuf (witchcraft), which is Machchish (weakens) and Mamri (rebels against) Famalya Shel Ma'alah (the Heavenly entourage).
Daf Al ha'Daf: Maharam Lublin (Imrei Da'as Chayei Sarah) says that a Tzavu'a (one who gives a false good impression) is called Yuchni. R. Tarfon said to his nephews 'va'Yosef Avraham va'Yikach Ishah u'Shmah Yuchni.' They said it says "Keturah"! He applied to them "Bnei Keturah" (Zevachim 62b). Bereishis Rabah 61:4 says that she was called Keturah because her deeds were beautiful, like Ketores; some say that it is because she was Maktir (burned) to idolatry. Both are true; she appeared as if her deeds are beautiful, but really, she served idolatry. Also Sotah 22a discusses a witch named Yuchni; she was Tzavu'a. R. Tarfon's nephews said, it says "Keturah" - what is the source to say that she was Tzavu'a? He replied, Bnei Keturah - look at her children! Yishbak - Shavak (he abandoned Hash-m - Bereishis Rabah 61:5). Surely her interior was evil.
What was the question 'do you bring straw to Aforayim?!
Rashi: It is already full of grain. Do you bring grain to there to sell it?! They thought that Moshe's wonders are via witchcraft. Egypt is already full of witchcraft!
Maharsha: "Ha'Navi Asher Ito Chalom [Yesaper Chalom va'Asher Devari Ito Yedaber Devari Emes Mah la'Teven Es ha'Bar" - just like we engage in witchcraft and Sheker, like straw, also you!
What was the answer 'take Yerek to the place of Yerek!'?
Rashi: If you want to sell your vegetables, take them to where they grow - all the buyers go there! He answered them according to their folly.
Maharsha: This is a different Mashal. There are different vegetables in the market - some are bad and some are good. If yours is Sheker and witchcraft, mine is Emes - it is from Hash-m!
Iyun Yakov, Etz Yosef: In the place of Yerek they know well which is good and which is bad. People take good Yerek there, for ii esteemed in their eyes. You are totally witchcraft - you understand what is a miracle, and not via witchcraft!
WHERE OIL IS ABUNDANT
What is the question 'why did he send to Teko'a?' Perhaps he knew that there is a wise woman there!
Maharsha: Had he known a particular Chachamah there, it should have said 'l'Ishah Chachamah li'Sko'a.' Rather, he sent "Teko'ah" (to there, for it is a good place for Chachamos.)
Iyun Yakov: This is like it says in Horayos 13b, that olive oil returns 70 years of learning [that were forgotten]. Wine and nice fragrances make one clever (Sanhedrin 70a). We merited the smell of oil (Berachos 43b).
What is the Chidush that "v'Tovel ba'Shemen Raglo" refers to Asher's inheritance? This is written in Asher's Berachah!
Maharsha: One might have thought that these words apply to the next verse ("Barzel u'Nechoshes Min'alecha"), which applies to all of Yisrael (Rashi there).
How much is a million of oil?
R. Gershom, Rashi Kesav Yad: It is a million Manos. (NOTE: Surely each Maneh here is 100 Dinarim, and not a weight of about a pound), for oil is not normally sold by weight. Also, to transport it, he needed to rent every animal that carries loads in Eretz Yisrael! However, it is astounding that Anshei Ludkiyah needed so much oil. If a million people lived there, they bought an average of 118 Dinarim (about seven months' income) per person! - PF)
What is 'Ozek under his olive trees'?
Rashi: He dug rings around them.
Tosfos: Some say that he made a wall around them, like "va'Y'azkehu".
Tosfos: This cannot be! He was Ozek under his trees!
Tosfos citing the Aruch: He dug and cast away rocks.
Why did he say 'do not praise me, rather, Ploni'?
Maharsha: Do not praise Ploni for his wealth, rather, for his good Midah "Misroshesh v'Hon Rov." I seem to be rich, but it is not mine. "Mis'asher v'Ein Kol" is a bad Midah!
Iyun Yakov: The verse applies also to Chochmah and Torah, which oil hints to. One kind of person is haughty to wear the Talis of a Chacham, and he has no Chochmah. Another kind acts as if he has nothing, and he is a great Chacham. Torah is compared to water, which goes to a low place.
Daf Al ha'Daf citing Klei Golah: It says in Bava Metzi'a (35a) that normally, the borrower trusts the lender, for he applies to him "Tumas Yesharim Tanchem." The lender does not trust the borrower, for he applies to him "v'Selef Bogedim Yeshadem" (he needs to borrow because he is crooked). The Nochri told them, he is the lender, so praise him. I am the borrower, do not praise me.