In what way did Pharaoh's new decree differ from the previous one?
Rashi: The new decree (to drown all newborn baby-boys, which was restricted to that day) extended to Egyptian babies as well. 1
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: Until now, Pharaoh's instructions had been directed to the Jewish midwives exclusively. From now on, the Egyptians too were obligated to comply with the new set of instructions and throw all newborn baby boys into the River Nile.
Rashi: As implied by the words, "Kol ha'Ben ha'Yilod."
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "... That day, [Pharaoh] decreed even upon the Egyptians." If this was not a decree against Yisrael per se, why mention it?
Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 15, p. 75): Although this last stage was not directed against Yisrael alone, it shows how deeply all of the Egyptians hated Yisrael. Thus, the decree regarding the babies came in three stages; 1 refer to 1:15:3.2:1.
See Maharal further as to the significance of a decree in three stages.
Rashi writes: "... That day, [Pharaoh] decreed even upon the Egyptians." What prompted Pharaoh to issue this decree on that particular day?
Rashi: The astrologers predicted 1 that on that day - the seventh of Adar - the savior of Yisrael was born. However, they did not know whether he was a Jew or an Egyptian. They also saw that he was destined to be punished on account of water. 2
Oznayim la'Torah: According to another Midrash, the astrologer's prediction was based on a dream that Pharaoh dreamt.
Rashi: What the astrologers did not know, however, was that their prediction referred to the water of Mei Merivah, when Moshe struck the rock (Bamidbar 20). This is because what the astrologers read in the stars is hazy and can easily be misread.
Rashi writes: "On the day of Moshe's birth, [Pharaoh's] astrologers told him, 'Today their redeemer was born!'" Was the Redemption of Bnei Yisrael dependent upon the stars?
Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 17, p. 80): Redemption is brought about through prayer; yet it hastens to come when the heavens indicate it.
Rashi writes: "... [Pharaoh's] astrologers informed him, 'Today their redeemer was born!'" If this was the fate they saw in the stars, how did they plan to thwart it?
Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 17, p. 80): Astrologers do not see clearly; it is possible for their predictions to be voided.
Rashi writes: "'Today their redeemer was born... but we do not know if he [will arise] from the Egyptians, or from Yisrael!" How could they know the very day of his birth, and yet not know his origins?
Gur Aryeh: Moshe is called 'son of the daughter of Pharaoh,' 1 for it was she who raised him. Yet, it was Yocheved who gave birth to him. [Because of this contradictory information,] the astrologers saw neither.
Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 15, p. 75): Moshe would distinguish himself and reach a level far above the rest of Bnei Yisrael; that is why the astrologers could not see if he was connected to them.
Gur Aryeh: (Megilah 13a, interpreting the Pasuk in) Divrei Hayamim I 4:18.
Rashi writes: "They said... 'We see that his end is to be stricken by water ... but they did not know [that it meant] he would be punished due to Mei Merivah." How could they have seen in the stars, something that would come about not due to Mazal (but due to Moshe's free choice)?
Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 17, p. 80): The astrologers saw that water would always be an opposing force to Moshe, 1 and they did not see any other medium in existence that would cause a problem to him.
Maharal implies that astrologers do not see specific events, but rather the various elements inherent in a person's Mazal. They did not see Moshe's actual deed at Mei Merivah, only that water and Moshe were in opposition. (EK) Maharal (ibid. Ch. 18, p. 82) - Water is corporeal; it is material with no form (Tzurah). In contrast, Moshe was "drawn from the water" (Shemos 2:10), meaning his Tzurah was complete and removed from any material aspect. Refer to 2:10:1.4:1; also refer to Bereishis 7:23:4:3.
