Fols. 10v-11:
The two Egyptian cities Pithom and Ra'amses are depicted as castles in the extreme margins of the two facing pages, creating a symmetrical composition.
Fol. 11:
A tall castle inscribed Ra'amses, with a draw-bridge over a moat in which are swimming swans illustrates the passage: "Blessed be He who observes His promise to Israel" that ends with "and they shall afflict them, four…". On the roof is a man working with an axe, while at the foot of the castle, are two Israelites carrying bricks and piling them up (Ex. 1:11). Inscribed:
"תמיד יגעים/ לימים ולרגעים."
"Always toiling, every day, every minute."
In the lower margin is Moses crowned and armed with a long sword, pointing at two fighting Israelites (Ex. 2:13) named Datan and Abiram (based on Deut. Rabbah (Vilna), 2:29; also mentioned in Targum Jonathan to Ex. 2:13; Ex. Rabbah (Vilna), 1:29). Inscribed near Moses:
"ויהי היום כאשר הפועלים אצים/ וירא משה שני עברי'(ם) נצים."
"One day when the workers were hurrying Moses saw two Hebrews fighting" (a paraphrase on Ex. 2:13).
Near the fighting men, inscribed:
"דתן ואבירם בני מרי/ הלשינו משה על דבר המצרי."
"Datan and Abiram, rebellious people, informed on Moses about the Egyptian" (based on Ex. 2:14-15; Ex. Rabbah (Vilna), 1:29).
| (formerly Jerusalem, Schocken Library, 24087)