עבודת פרך

The Torah describes the back breaking work the Jewish people did in Egypt as ״פרך״. This is an unusual word describing the kind of labor that is humiliating and devastating. This word appears again at the end of ויקרא in connection with the treatment of the עבד עברי, the Hebrew slave. The Torah commands, לא תרדה בו בפרך, that you shall not make him work in a similarly humiliating way as in Egypt. Rav Shimshon Refael Hirsh clarifies this point by reminding us that Hashem took us out of Egypt in order that we be servants or עבדים to Him and not to man. Even in the relationship of master and Hebrew slave, great care must be taken to be certain that the slave is treated properly. Rav Hirsh continues and says that an example of פרך would be to force the slave to do menial tasks that are meaningless. Such tasks remove the dignity of the עבד עברי, and would be a reminder of the horrible treatment we received in Egypt. For any of us, being forced by an employer to do tasks that have no meaning and are unrewarding, are very humiliating. This clarifies the difference between slave labor and good wholesome, satisfying work.