וַיֵּצֵ֥א מֹשֶׁ֛ה וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן מֵעִ֣ם פַּרְעֹ֑ה וַיִּצְעַ֤ק מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה עַל־דְּבַ֥ר הַֽצְפַרְדְּעִ֖ים אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֥ם לְפַרְעֹֽה׃
זײַנען משה און אַהרן אַרױסגעגאַנגען פֿון פַּרעהן, און משה האָט געשריען צו גאָט פֿון װעגן די פרעש װאָס ער האָט אַרױפֿגעטאָן אױף פַּרעהן.
Midrash Tanchuma Buber
(Exod. 10:21:) STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND TOWARD THE HEAVENS. The Holy One brought the plagues upon them in the order13Gk.: taxis. of a flesh-and-blood [king]. In the case of a flesh-and-blood king, when a state revolts against him, what does he do? He sends out legions14Lat.: Legiones. which surround it. First he {smashes} [dams up] their aqueduct.15Tanh., Exod. 3:4; PRK 7:11; PR 17:7; cf. Exod. R. 17:27. If they repent, well and good; but if not, he brings <war> cries against them. [If they repent, well and good; but if not, he shoots arrows at them. If they repent, well and good; but if not, he brings <the> legions against them. If they repent, well and good; but if not, he brings hand-to-hand combat16Gk.: dorimachos, literally: “fighting with the spear.” against them.] If they repent, well and good; but if not, he hurls naphtha17Gk.: naphtha. at them. If they repent, well and good; but if not, he hurls stones at them from a catapult.18Gk.: balistra. Then, if they repent, well and good; but if not, he stirs up {six legions} a lot of troops19Gk.: ochloi, i.e., “crowds.” against them. If they repent, well and good; but if not, he binds them in prison. If they repent, well and good; but if not, he kills their noble ones. So did the Holy One come against the Egyptians in the order of kings. First he {smashed} [dammed up] their aqueduct, as stated (in Ps. 78:44): HE TURNED THEIR NILES20The word ye’orehem here would normally be translated “rivers,” but ye’orehem in the singular is also the proper name of the river Nile and reinforces the Egyptian context. INTO BLOOD <SO THAT THEIR STREAMS WERE UNDRINKABLE>. When they did not repent, he brought <war> cries against them. These were the frogs, as stated (in Exod. 8:8): <THEN MOSES CRIED OUT TO THE LORD> ABOUT THE MATTER OF THE FROGS…. Then, when they did not repent, he brought arrows upon them. These were the gnats, as stated (in Exod. 8:13 [17]): AND THERE WERE GNATS [UPON HUMAN AND UPON BEAST], for <each of them > entered an Egyptian body like an arrow. [Then, when they did not repent, he brought <the> legions upon them. These were swarms of flies, as stated (in Ps. 78:45): HE SENT SWARMS OF INSECTS AMONG THEM TO DEVOUR THEM. Then, when they did not repent, he brought hand-to-hand combat upon them, as stated. This is the plague.]21Cf. Tanh., Exod. 3:4, which adds here: “And it killed their livestock.” Then, when they did not repent, he hurled naphtha at them. <This corresponds to> the boils. Then, when they did not repent, he hurled stones at them from a catapult. This is the hail. Then when they did not repent even after that, he stirred up a lot of troops against them. These were the locusts. Then after that he put them in prison. [This is the darkness,] as stated (in Exod. 10:21): DARKNESS THAT CAN BE TOUCHED…. Then, when they did not repent, he killed all their eldest sons, as stated (in Exod. 12:29): THAT THE LORD SMOTE ALL THE FIRST-BORN.
Shemot Rabbah
“Moses and Aaron emerged from Pharaoh; and Moses cried to the Lord regarding the frogs that He had brought upon Pharaoh” (Exodus 8:8).
“Moses…emerged…and…cried to the Lord regarding the frogs” – our Rabbis, of blessed memory, said: It was not just the destruction that the frogs caused the Egyptians, but the sound of the frogs was harsher for them than the physical damage, as they would enter their bodies and scream inside them, as it is stated: “Regarding [al devar] the frogs that He had brought upon Pharaoh” – regarding the speech [al dibur] of the frogs.
“The Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died from the houses, from the courts, and from the fields” (Exodus 8:9).
“The Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died” – it is because [the Egyptians] could derive no benefit from their carcasses or their skin; that is why they died.14This is in contrast to the wild animals and the locusts, which departed from Egypt (see Exodus 8:27 and 10:19) so that the Egyptians would not benefit from the hides of the animals or be able to eat the locusts.
“They gathered them in heaps; and the land stank” (Exodus 8:10).
“They gathered them in heaps” – this teaches that each and every one of them made four piles, and the land reeked. Because Israel reeked from the blows administered by the Egyptians, it is measure for measure.
“Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and did not heed them; as the Lord had spoken” (Exodus 8:11).
“Pharaoh saw that there was respite” – this is the way of the wicked; when they are in trouble they scream, but when there is respite they return to their evil ways. “As the Lord had spoken” – where did He speak? “I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go” (Exodus 3:19).
“Moses…emerged…and…cried to the Lord regarding the frogs” – our Rabbis, of blessed memory, said: It was not just the destruction that the frogs caused the Egyptians, but the sound of the frogs was harsher for them than the physical damage, as they would enter their bodies and scream inside them, as it is stated: “Regarding [al devar] the frogs that He had brought upon Pharaoh” – regarding the speech [al dibur] of the frogs.
“The Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died from the houses, from the courts, and from the fields” (Exodus 8:9).
“The Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died” – it is because [the Egyptians] could derive no benefit from their carcasses or their skin; that is why they died.14This is in contrast to the wild animals and the locusts, which departed from Egypt (see Exodus 8:27 and 10:19) so that the Egyptians would not benefit from the hides of the animals or be able to eat the locusts.
“They gathered them in heaps; and the land stank” (Exodus 8:10).
“They gathered them in heaps” – this teaches that each and every one of them made four piles, and the land reeked. Because Israel reeked from the blows administered by the Egyptians, it is measure for measure.
“Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and did not heed them; as the Lord had spoken” (Exodus 8:11).
“Pharaoh saw that there was respite” – this is the way of the wicked; when they are in trouble they scream, but when there is respite they return to their evil ways. “As the Lord had spoken” – where did He speak? “I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go” (Exodus 3:19).
Shemot Rabbah
Another interpretation: “This month shall be for you” (Exodus 12:2) – that is what is written: “You shall say to Pharaoh: So said the Lord: Israel is My firstborn son. I have said to you: Let My son go, and he will serve Me; and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your firstborn son.” (Exodus 4:22–23). May the name of the Holy One blessed be He be exalted, as He “declares the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). Regarding Abraham it says: “Also that nation, whom they will serve, I will judge [dan]” (Genesis 15:14). What is dan? The plague of the firstborn, which is called an affliction [nega], as it is stated: “One further affliction [nega] [will I bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt; afterward he will send you forth from this]” (Exodus 11:1). What is: “I [anokhi] will judge?”62The question is about the use of the word anokhi for the first person singular. The Holy One blessed be He said: “I will exact retribution from them with the plague of the firstborn, as it is stated: “Behold, I [anokhi] will kill your firstborn son.” The Holy One blessed be He passed this sign to Abraham, and Abraham to Isaac, Isaac to Jacob, Jacob to Levi, Levi to Kehat, Kehat to Amram, and Amram to Moses. Moses kept it as he proceeded. What is: “Israel is My firstborn son?” Rabbi Ḥiyya said: Sons whose fathers blessed them with their actions. That is Abraham as it is stated: “Blessed is Abram to God the Most High” (Genesis 14:19). Alternatively: “Israel is My firstborn son” – sons of he who took the birthright.63A reference to Jacob, who bought the birthright from Esau. See Genesis 25:29–34. Alternatively: “Israel is My firstborn son” – the Holy One blessed be He said to the wicked Pharaoh: ‘Do you not know how much I value the firstborn, as I wrote in My Torah: “Do not work your firstborn ox” (Deuteronomy 15:19). Anyone who works it is beaten, and you extended your hand against My firstborn; justice demands that you will be beaten.’
The Holy One blessed be He brought ten plagues upon him corresponding to the ten trials with which Abraham was tested and he withstood them all. He brought them through Moses and through Aaron and by Himself. This is analogous to a king against whom ten provinces rebelled. He took with him two generals and went and conquered them. The king said: If I record them [the victories] in my name, how can I accord them honor? If I record them in their names, I exclude myself. Rather, I will divide them into three,64Three provinces for each of them. and there is one extra, and I will divide it among the three of us. Thus, the plague of boils was performed by the three of them. What does it say regarding the boils: “Upon the magicians [baḥartumim]” (Exodus 9:11), is defective,65It is without a yod, as though baḥartumam is written, meaning their magician. meaning that it afflicted their angel on high, so they would have no ability to resist.
He brought ten plagues upon them like a military campaign.66See Tanḥuma, Bo 4. The frogs were especially hard on them, as it is stated: “Frogs that destroyed them” (Psalms 78:45), as they wounded their bodies and castrated them [the Egyptians], as it is stated: “And into your bedchamber, and onto your bed” (Exodus 7:28). The frogs said to them: ‘The image of their God67The Egyptians had tried to prevent Israel from procreating, and having children is, as it were, reproducing the image of God. is nullified, and yours [your ability to procreate] remains intact?’ Therefore: “That destroyed them [vatashḥitem],” as it says: “And he spilled it [veshiḥet] on the ground” (Genesis 38:9).68Referring to Onan, who spilled his seed on the ground rather than procreate with Tamar. From where [is the proof] that they [the frogs] spoke [medabberot]: “Regarding [al devar] the frogs that He had brought upon Pharaoh” (Exodus 8:8).
Moreover, He brought upon them the plague of wild beasts [arov], because they were all intermingled [me’urbavin]; one man consorted with ten women, and ten men consorted with one woman; therefore, He brought a mixture [irbuvya]69Irbuvya and me’urbavin are from the same root as arov. upon them.
When the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “One further affliction [nega] will I bring upon Pharaoh” (Exodus 11:1), Moses said: The sign has arrived [higia]. “One was Abraham” (Ezekiel 33:24) – behold, it is the affliction of the “one”.70Abraham is described as one, and the fact that God said “one further affliction” rather than simply: A further affliction, alluded to the fact that it was the plague that Abraham had been told about. Since they [Israel] were firstborn, He therefore killed the firstborn, as it is stated: “Behold, I will kill your firstborn son” (Exodus 4:23). That is the sign to Abraham: “I will judge” (Genesis 15:14)
Another matter: Why is Israel called “My firstborn son”? Because it is written in the Torah: “Rather, he shall acknowledge the firstborn son of the hated, giving him a double portion” (Deuteronomy 21:17); so too, Israel inherits two worlds, this world and the World to Come. That is why the Holy One blessed be He gave the secret of [calculating the waxing and waning of] the moon to Israel, that they should count on its basis, but the idolaters count on the basis of the sun; that is to say, just as the sun rules only during the day, so too, they rule only in this world, and just as the sun is made of fire, so, they are destined to be punished in it, as it is stated: “Behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace” (Malachi 3:19). And just as the moon is seen during the day and at night, so, Israel rules in this world and in the World to Come. And just as the moon is made of light, so, Israel inherits the light, as it is stated: “Light is sown for the righteous” (Psalms 97:11), and it says: “Arise, shine, for your light has arrived” (Isaiah 60:1). That is why it says: “This month shall be for you” (Exodus 12:2) – it shall be yours, because you are of the same type [as the moon].
The Holy One blessed be He brought ten plagues upon him corresponding to the ten trials with which Abraham was tested and he withstood them all. He brought them through Moses and through Aaron and by Himself. This is analogous to a king against whom ten provinces rebelled. He took with him two generals and went and conquered them. The king said: If I record them [the victories] in my name, how can I accord them honor? If I record them in their names, I exclude myself. Rather, I will divide them into three,64Three provinces for each of them. and there is one extra, and I will divide it among the three of us. Thus, the plague of boils was performed by the three of them. What does it say regarding the boils: “Upon the magicians [baḥartumim]” (Exodus 9:11), is defective,65It is without a yod, as though baḥartumam is written, meaning their magician. meaning that it afflicted their angel on high, so they would have no ability to resist.
He brought ten plagues upon them like a military campaign.66See Tanḥuma, Bo 4. The frogs were especially hard on them, as it is stated: “Frogs that destroyed them” (Psalms 78:45), as they wounded their bodies and castrated them [the Egyptians], as it is stated: “And into your bedchamber, and onto your bed” (Exodus 7:28). The frogs said to them: ‘The image of their God67The Egyptians had tried to prevent Israel from procreating, and having children is, as it were, reproducing the image of God. is nullified, and yours [your ability to procreate] remains intact?’ Therefore: “That destroyed them [vatashḥitem],” as it says: “And he spilled it [veshiḥet] on the ground” (Genesis 38:9).68Referring to Onan, who spilled his seed on the ground rather than procreate with Tamar. From where [is the proof] that they [the frogs] spoke [medabberot]: “Regarding [al devar] the frogs that He had brought upon Pharaoh” (Exodus 8:8).
Moreover, He brought upon them the plague of wild beasts [arov], because they were all intermingled [me’urbavin]; one man consorted with ten women, and ten men consorted with one woman; therefore, He brought a mixture [irbuvya]69Irbuvya and me’urbavin are from the same root as arov. upon them.
When the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “One further affliction [nega] will I bring upon Pharaoh” (Exodus 11:1), Moses said: The sign has arrived [higia]. “One was Abraham” (Ezekiel 33:24) – behold, it is the affliction of the “one”.70Abraham is described as one, and the fact that God said “one further affliction” rather than simply: A further affliction, alluded to the fact that it was the plague that Abraham had been told about. Since they [Israel] were firstborn, He therefore killed the firstborn, as it is stated: “Behold, I will kill your firstborn son” (Exodus 4:23). That is the sign to Abraham: “I will judge” (Genesis 15:14)
Another matter: Why is Israel called “My firstborn son”? Because it is written in the Torah: “Rather, he shall acknowledge the firstborn son of the hated, giving him a double portion” (Deuteronomy 21:17); so too, Israel inherits two worlds, this world and the World to Come. That is why the Holy One blessed be He gave the secret of [calculating the waxing and waning of] the moon to Israel, that they should count on its basis, but the idolaters count on the basis of the sun; that is to say, just as the sun rules only during the day, so too, they rule only in this world, and just as the sun is made of fire, so, they are destined to be punished in it, as it is stated: “Behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace” (Malachi 3:19). And just as the moon is seen during the day and at night, so, Israel rules in this world and in the World to Come. And just as the moon is made of light, so, Israel inherits the light, as it is stated: “Light is sown for the righteous” (Psalms 97:11), and it says: “Arise, shine, for your light has arrived” (Isaiah 60:1). That is why it says: “This month shall be for you” (Exodus 12:2) – it shall be yours, because you are of the same type [as the moon].