Pharaoh stated that he did not know G-d and therefore would not send the Jews out of Egypt. The plagues were designed to make Pharaoh recognize G-d's providence over the world and when he accepted this idea, the plagues were removed. When Pharaoh hardened his heart, he received worse punishment, culminating in the death of his firstborn son.

Bas Keisar is not inquiring; she is cynical, claiming that G-d is a "carpenter" involved only with Himself, since "He makes a roof of water in his attic." Cynics are not questioning, they are mocking. Bas Keisar claims that G-d has no interest in the world, as if there is no Divine Providence. Rebbi Yehoshua merely responds that if she wants a spindle she will get one. The leprosy is due to Bas Keisar's arrogance, as the Gemara in Arachin 16a states that this is the reason for leprosy. She believes that G-d cannot influence the world, so she herself is directly affected. (Maharsha)

What is surprising is the final part of the Sugya. Rebbi Yehoshua responds to her request to pray to G-d to remove the leprosy by saying that "G-d only gives, He doesn't take back." Despite the fact that she has recognized Who is responsible for her predicament, Rebbi Yehoshua continues to mock her. The answer is that Rebbi Yehoshua senses that she does not really believe that G-d can remove the leprosy (because if she did, she would pray to Him herself), so he follows her line of thought and says what is obviously incorrect in order to make her realize that if G-d is involved, he can do whatever he wants and she herself should pray to him.

The word Mastorita, used to describe the spindle, is the key to the Sugya, since it also means "hidden." Bas Keisar implies that G-d's actions are hidden and are not overtly recognizable, and Rebbi Yehoshua says that Divine providence is easily recognizable and she will see it herself.

Yoel Domb