The verse (Shemot 3:16) states: “Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your forefathers has appeared to me, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, “I have surely remembered you and what is being done to you in Egypt…and they will hearken to your voice.’”
On this Rashi comments:
“As soon as you say this expression [“I have surely remembered you…,” פָּקֹד פָּקַדְךְתִּי אֶתְכֶם] to them, they will hearken to your voice, for this password was transmitted to them from Jacob and from Joseph, that with this expression they will be redeemed.”
On this can be asked the obvious question: It is entirely possible for a false redeemer to have knowledge of this formula; how were they to differentiate between the real redeemer an imposter?
Reb Mendel of Kotzk explained:[1]
The word פקד, which means remembered, is also expressive of longing, as in the verse (Shoftim 15:1), “And Samson remembered (ויפקד) his wife.” Only a true redeemer can awaken in the hearts of Israel a longing for their Father in heaven.
[1] Emet Mkotzk Titzmach, Pg. 143
