זוהר שמות — דף ו ע”ב

The princes of the nations received their power only because of Israel. When Israel is in exile, the princes of the nations immediately strengthen themselves over them. Israel alone stands against all the peoples of the world, and to them is given the Tree of Life to draw light from it. When Israel entered Egypt, the prince of Egypt saw that he would lose his authority because of Israel, and afflicted them with mortar and bricks. Israel walks straight and truthfully under their princes by divine command, until the time of redemption.