"Ad Masai Zeh Yih'yeh lanu le'Mokeish?" Who is "Zeh referring to?
R. Bachye #1: It refers to Moshe ? about whom the Torah writes in 32:1 "? ki Zeh Moshe ha'Ish"
R. Bachye #2: It refers to Hashem ? about whom the Torah writes in 15:2 "Zeh Keili Ve'anveihu".
Remarkably, at this point, Par'oh's servants begged him to change his stance and send out the Bnei Yisrael. Why specifically now?
Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 33, p. 126): Conceptually, the ten Makos can be divided into sets of seven and three. 1 Hashem punishes sinners in sets of seven Makos (see Vayikra 26:18). Then, the last three were even more severe -- they were tantamount to death. 2 With the stakes so high, Par'oh's servants brazenly challenged him.
Why was Par'oh receptive only now? What is the difference between the words of Par'oh's servants, and Hashem, who also used the expression "Ad Masai ... " (in 10:3)?
Oznayim la'Torah: The difference lies in the continuation of their respective statements - "Ad Masai Me'anta Le'anos mi'Panai" (10:3, said by Hashem); and "Ad Masai Yih'yeh Zeh Lanu l'Mokesh" (Par'oh's servants). Hashem was demanding that they fear Him, whereas they were expressing their fear of the Makos.
What is the meaning of "Ki Avedah Mitzrayim"?
Targum Yonasan and Riva: It means that Egypt will be destroyed. 1
Riva: The Torah also refers to the future in the past tense in Parshas Vayechi, "u'Moladta Asher Holadta Achareihem" (Bereishis 48:6).
