[Avodah] Irrational Anti-Semites

[Richard Wolberg]

"There is also an additional phrase in there, "they might /join our  
enemies
and fight us/, and then leave." It still doesn't make clear exactly what
Pharaoh's concern was.  I'm not totally satisfied with Rashi or with  
Hirsch  but
maybe somebody else came across another commentary on this question  
that  sheds
more light on it?"

 From a psychoanalytic reference, it would make sense that Pharaoh had  
a very low self-image
which takes the form of grandiosity (to compensate for an intense lack  
of self-esteem). Hence,
in his mind, he saw b'nei Yisroel as much brighter, skilled and  
gifted. Because of this he became
paranoid and felt that the Israelites were worthy of a much better  
culture and feared therefore, that
they would join Egypt's enemies and leave Egypt for a place more  
worthy of their level of competence.

This, of course, is conjecture but makes psychological sense.

Kol tuv/Best regards.
ri