RAV KOOK ON PARSHAS Bo PART 2: Draining Egypt

(RECOMMENDED BY RABBI YITZCHAK ETSHALOM FROM OU SHNAYIM MIKRA)

"The Israelites did as Moses had said. They requested silver and gold articles and clothing from the Egyptians. God made the Egyptians respect the people, and they granted their request. The Israelites thus drained Egypt of its wealth." (Ex. 12:35-36)." God's command that the Hebrew slaves request gold and silver from the Egyptians is commonly explained as reparations for hundreds of years of slave labor. But why was it necessary to completely drain Egypt of its wealth?