Parshah Bo

"Egypt rejoiced when they went" (Psalms 105:38). Said Rabbi Berechia: This is comparable to a fat man who is riding on a donkey. The donkey longs: "O when will he get off me"; and the man longs: "O when will I get off the donkey." As soon as he gets off, the man is happy and the donkey is happy. Still I do not know: who is the happier?

So, too, when the Jews were in Egypt, and the plagues were befalling the Egyptians, the Egyptians were longing: "O when will the Jews get out!" And the Jews were longing: "O when will G-d redeem us!" As soon as they went out and were redeemed, these were happy and these were happy. Still, I did not know: which was the happier? Until King David came and said: "Egypt rejoiced when they went..."

(Midrash Tehillim)