Know Knew Leaders

A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph (Ex. 1:8) -- Since the Egyptians saw this (the Israelite population multiplying and increasing), they renewed decrees upon them. On this it is written: "A new king arose." Rav and Shmuel--one of them said: [a king who was] actually new [arose]. And one said: That his decrees were renewed, that he renewed the decrees and punishments upon the Israelites, that is [the meaning of what's] written: "new."

What's the reason that Rav says (the new pharaoh was) one who was actually new? Because it's written: "new." What's the reason that Shmuel says that he renewed his decrees? Because it's not written: He (the previous Pharaoh) died, (and a new one) ruled, who did not know Joseph. Regarding the opinion of the one who said he was a new Pharaoh, this is satisfactory. And regarding the opinion of the one who said that he renewed his decrees, what did he expound about it? That he (Pharaoh) was like one who did not know Joseph at all.

Our rabbis say: Why did they call him "a new king" (then), wasn't he himself Pharaoh? Rather, that the Egyptians said to Pharaoh: "Come and let's plan how to attack this nation!" Pharaoh said to them: "You fools! Until now because of them, we eat, how can it be that we'll attack them?! If it were not for Joseph, we would not be alive." Since Pharaoh did not heed the Egyptians, they removed him from his throne for three months, until he said to them: "Whatever you want, indeed I am with you," and they reinstated him to this throne, therefore it's written: "A new king arose...who did not know Joseph."

He did not know Joseph?! Rabi Avin said: A parable to one who stoned the beloved of the king. The king said: "Cut off his head, for tomorrow he will do thus to me," and therefore the verse is written about him, that is to say, today - that he didn't know Joseph, tomorrow - in the future he will say: "I do not know the Lord." (Ex. 5:2)