- The Ten Plagues
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- by, Rabbi Israel Chait - Written by student
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- What was the reason for G-d plaguing Egypt with the Ten Plagues?
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- Dam-Blood
- Tzefardea-Frogs
- Kinim-Lice
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- Arov-Wild animals
- Dever-Animal's Plague
- Shchin-Boils
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- Barad-Hail mixed with
Fire
- Arbeh-Locusts
- Choshech-Darkness
- Bechoros-Death
of Firstborn
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- You notice that they are broken up into three sets. As well, the
plagues were given an acronym, "DTZaK,
ADaSH,
BACHaB".
Why was this done? Not simply for memory's sake. It was given to teach
us that there is a specific grouping and method to the plagues.
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- The first three plagues took place on the Earth itself: Blood
was in the Nile, Frogs came from the Nile, and the Lice came from the
dust of the Earth. The second three occurred upon the Earth's
surface: Wild animals roamed free, Animals were plagued and Boils
smote all. The third set dealt with the heavens: Hail fell from
the sky, Locusts were blown in from the sky, the sky turned Dark.
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- The last plague - death of Firstborn - was really for a different
purpose, that being the termination of the disseminators of the
Egyptian culture and beliefs - the firstborns.
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- What was the reason for this categorization? It is in line with the
philosophy of the Torah, to show all that G-d is the only Source of
power in the universe. G-d was thus showing Pharaoh and the rest of
Egypt that he alone commanded all areas of creation: The Earth, the
Heavens, and all in between.
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- G-d's intent is that all human beings recognize Him, as we
say in Alenu everyday, "v'col b'nei basar yikriu shmecha",
"all flesh should call your name". Therefore G-d desired to
demonstrate His power to relate to the Egyptians as well as the Jews,
His level of Supreme power over the universe.
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