Notable Sources
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A Warning of Mercy Amidst JudgmentTANAKH
A Warning of Mercy Amidst Judgment
TANAKH
The specific timing and practical instructions given to the Egyptians to protect their livestock and belongings from the impending plague of hail highlight God's mercy even in the midst of judgment. The Book of Exodus describes the miraculous events leading to the people of Israel's redemption from Egypt, including the ten plagues that demonstrated God's power and justice.
Divine Complexity in the HailstormMIDRASH
Divine Complexity in the Hailstorm
MIDRASH
The Midrash Tanchuma provides a deeper insight into the Plague of Hail by highlighting the involvement of God's heavenly court and the miraculous preservation of crops. The text explains that Moses's act of lifting his staff was linked with divine judgment from above. Despite the hail's destructive force, wheat and spelt were miraculously preserved, adding layers of divine complexity to the biblical event.
The Everlasting HailstonesKABBALAH
The Everlasting Hailstones
KABBALAH
The Zohar, a key text in Jewish mysticism, discusses the ongoing impact of the hailstones from the Plague of Hail. According to this text, the hailstones were not merely a one-time event but were also used for divine vengeance during the days of Joshua and are destined to play a future role against Edom and its descendants. This reflects the continuity of divine intervention from the time of Moses through future events, as explored in the Zohar.
The Suspended HailstonesTALMUD
The Suspended Hailstones
TALMUD
The story of the Plague of Hail reveals the extraordinary roles of Moses and Joshua in divine intervention. This midrash explains how hailstones were suspended in the air by Moses and later fell during Joshua's battle, demonstrating their unique status as instruments of God's will.
Miracle of Fire and HailCOMMENTARY
Miracle of Fire and Hail
COMMENTARY
The miraculous coexistence of fire and hail demonstrates the power of divine will, as even natural opposites can unite to fulfill God's command. Rashi, in his renowned 11th-century commentary on the Torah, explains this phenomenon in his commentary on Exodus 9:24.
The Emotional Toll of Divine WrathSECOND TEMPLE
The Emotional Toll of Divine Wrath
SECOND TEMPLE
The devastation in Egypt left a profound psychological and emotional impact on its inhabitants. Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, offers a unique perspective on the despondency and perception of divine wrath among the Egyptians.
A Miracle Within a MiracleCHASIDUT
A Miracle Within a Miracle
CHASIDUT
The plague of hail in Egypt is described as a 'miracle within a miracle,' where fire and hail coexist peacefully, demonstrating a higher unity that transcends natural divisions. In Shem MiShmuel, Rabbi Shmuel Bornsztain, the second Sochatchover Rebbe, offers deep mystical insights into this phenomenon, highlighting the supreme power of the Creator.
Divine Protection in GoshenCOMMENTARY
Divine Protection in Goshen
COMMENTARY
The land of Goshen was uniquely protected during the plague of hail, emphasizing the divine safeguarding of the people of Israel. According to Ramban, a medieval Jewish scholar, despite the widespread devastation caused by the hailstorm, Goshen remained unharmed because it was where the people of Israel resided.
Pharaoh's Moment of RealizationCOMMENTARY
Pharaoh's Moment of Realization
COMMENTARY
The plague of hail marked a turning point where Pharaoh, for the first time, admitted his guilt, indicating a shift in his obstinacy. In his 13th-century commentary Chizkuni, Rabbi Chizkiyah ben Manoach explores this pivotal moment and its implications for Pharaoh's free will.
Creation and the Seventh PlagueCOMMENTARY
Creation and the Seventh Plague
COMMENTARY
The connection between the seventh plague and the first day of creation emphasizes the creation of the heavens and the earth. In his commentary on the Passover Haggadah, the guiding text of the Passover seder, Minchat Ani, Rabbi Yaakov Ettlinger explains why Moses was instructed to stretch his hand toward the heavens during this event.
Hail and Fire in EgyptCOMMENTARY
Hail and Fire in Egypt
COMMENTARY
The hail in Egypt was unique because it contained fire, which ceased only after Pharaoh's plea to Moses. The 19th-century Torah commentary Haamek Davar by Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (the Netziv) explores this extraordinary event and its implications.
The Strategic Devastation of Egypt's AgricultureCOMMENTARY
The Strategic Devastation of Egypt's Agriculture
COMMENTARY
The strategic timing and agricultural impact of the plagues in Egypt reveal a pattern of devastation designed to maximize effect. Rabbeinu Bahya, a medieval commentator, explains that all ten plagues occurred within a single calendar year. According to him, the plague of hail, which struck in Adar, destroyed crops and trees before the subsequent plague of locusts in Nissan consumed what remained.
A Precision PlagueJEWISH THOUGHT
A Precision Plague
JEWISH THOUGHT
God's warning before the Plague of Hail led Pharaoh to recognize God's righteousness for the first time. The Maharal of Prague, in his 16th-century work Gevurot Hashem, explains why God warned Pharaoh to bring the animals inside before the seventh plague.
Pharaoh's Moment of FearCOMMENTARY
Pharaoh's Moment of Fear
COMMENTARY
Pharaoh's reaction to the plague of hail is unique in that he acknowledges his sin and expresses fear, unlike his responses to other plagues. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Torah provides a clear and engaging exploration of this narrative.
The Escalating PunishmentsMIDRASH
The Escalating Punishments
MIDRASH
The plagues escalated in severity as the Egyptians repeatedly refused to release the people of Israel. Louis Ginzberg’s early 20th-century work, Legends of the Jews, synthesizes a vast array of midrashim to recount the dramatic narrative of the Ten Plagues.