English: The verse says “over him” rather than “over them.” The school of Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Shimon explains that the Egyptians first hung a brick mold around Pharaoh’s neck, telling any Israelite who objected to labor that he was no more delicate than Pharaoh.
In context: See the cited source for the full section.
Type of Learning
Custom — diyuk from singular “upon him.”
What Is Learned
Chazal teach that the oppression began with a public demonstration on Pharaoh’s own person so that the decree would be inescapable.