# Shemot | What were the ערי המסכנות? And Why Does It Matter?

From **KMTT - the Torah Podcast** by KMTT.

- **Published:** Thu, 08 Jan 2026 20:25:00 +0000
- **Duration:** 32:50
- **Books:** Exodus
- **Parsha:** Shemot
- **Audio:** https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/kmtt/Shemot5786_RYEtshalom.mp3?dest-id=12657
- **Page:** https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/kmtt/Shemot5786_RYEtshalom.mp3
- **TorahApp:** https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_kmtt/e/ce96c824-9ff3-4af7-8de0-b005f869119f

<p>Shemot | What were the ערי המסכנות? And Why Does It Matter?  by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom</p> <p>What is the meaning and significance of the ערי המסכנות which בני ישראל were forced to build? </p> <p>The first labor forced upon the Hebrews in Egypt was a labor tax, forcing them to build ערי מסכנות. We explore the possible meanings of this unusual phrase, set it in apposition to the later back-breaking work to which they were subjected and the significance of this type of work, considering the storied history of Yaakov's progeny in Egypt.</p> <p><a href= "https://etzion.org.il/sites/default/files/2026-01/Shemot5786_sourcesheet.pdf"> <strong>Source sheet >></strong></a></p>