Taking Egypt out of the Jews . . .
In this week’s Torah portion we will read about the beginning of the end of Egypt. The bitter enslavement of the Jewish People will finally cease as G‑d punishes the Egyptian nation with the Ten Plagues: Blood, Frogs, Lice, etc.
The question our Sages raise is the following: If G‑d intended to punish the Egyptian people, could He have not done this in a more straight forward manner, i.e.: one plague, one epidemic? Why the need for these Ten creative plagues?
Our Sages answer: Yes, G‑d could have done this. And yes, one fleeting swoop from G‑d would have been power enough to punish the oppressors and take the Jewish People out of Egypt. However, the function and purpose of the ten plagues was not merely to take the Jewish People out of Egypt – it was to take Egypt out of the Jewish People.
Leaving Egypt was, as stated numerous times in the bible, a means to an end. The exodus was the prelude to the creation of the Jewish People which occurred at Mount Sinai. Thus, the method and way in which the redemption from Egypt occurred also served as a preparation for the birth of the Jewish nation. This then, is the reason for the various and colorful plagues. Each served as a tool through which the Jewish People weaned itself from the depravities and immoralities of Egyptian civilization and culture – bringing them to the recognition and appreciation of G‑d and His supernal will.
This short article cannot possibly detail the function and lessons of each of the ten plagues. I, however, encourage you to browse through our website which includes many article related to this topic (click here). May we very soon witness the final Exodus from this exile with the coming of the righteous Moshiach (Messiah) speedily in our days!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick