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Scholar Links Egyptian Culture to Jewish Passover Narrative

4/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Bar-Ilan University professor Joshua Berman argues in his haggadah Echoes of Egypt that Egyptian culture influenced the Jewish Passover narrative.
He contends the Torah subverts Egyptian texts and mocks Pharaoh's power with phrases such as "a mighty hand and an outstretched arm."
Berman notes the Torah elevates the Israelites, contrasting them with the pharaohs.
He discusses the Merneptah Stele as an early reference to Israel and its historical importance.

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Story summary

Bar-Ilan University professor Joshua Berman argues in his haggadah Echoes of Egypt that Egyptian culture influenced the Jewish Passover narrative.
He contends the Torah subverts Egyptian texts and mocks Pharaoh's power with phrases such as "a mighty hand and an outstretched arm."
Berman notes the Torah elevates the Israelites, contrasting them with the pharaohs.
He discusses the Merneptah Stele as an early reference to Israel and its historical importance.