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The forces of evil that characterize the Egyptian sovereignty were expressed in the decrees of slavery. These powers derive from the belief of the Egyptians, the pharaohs (Egyptian rulers) and mainly of Pharaoh himself, in their perception of self-importance and idolatry. One of the purposes of the story of the Exodus, in general, and the story of the plagues, in particular, is to describe the struggle and the eradication of these forces and concepts. Thus, the plagues were not inflicted only from a practical aspect – to get the Israelites out of Egypt, but also as it appears in the verses: "And the Egyptians shall know that I am ה'" – a message conveying educational values, as expressed in the damage to Egyptian beliefs and symbols. The Exodus from Egypt expresses the opposite message – the nation of Israel embarks on its new path, based on proper moral and religious values that derive from their faith in God.
In this unit we will focus on the main purpose of the plagues "And the Egyptians shall know that I am ה'.” The study will be based on the verses that describe the warning of the plague (if one exists), and for the purpose of inflicting the plague described in them. We will review the decrees of slavery and emphasize the characteristics of the Egyptian rule that is based on cruelty and evil, and we will also learn about the religious concept in ancient Egypt regarding the Nile. Based on this, we will discuss how the plagues constitute a struggle against the Egyptian gods and the Egyptian culture. It seems that the story of the Exodus conveys the message that the Jewish nation is embarking on its new path based on proper moral and religious values, arising from their faith in God. Judaism opposes slavery and exploitation of human beings, therefore, the Torah includes mitzvot that mention our slavery in Egypt.
El éxodo de Egipto. Mapa con explicaciones- Knowing God's purpose in inflicting the plagues.
- Understanding the religious and moral message arising from the Plagues of Egypt and the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
It is clear that there were several goals in inflicting the plagues on Egypt. The goal that is repeated and presented in the verses, as the main goal is "By this you shall know that I am ה'." This message is intended for the Israelites themselves, for Pharaoh, for Egypt and even for the entire world. According to the Midrash, the nations of the world claimed that the world is governed by the stars and the forces of nature. Therefore, by bringing the plagues on Egypt, God changed nature (for example by mixing fire with hail and hail with fire) and conveyed the message that He is the Lord and Ruler over everything (according to Midrash HaGadol on Exodus 9:14).
In this lesson we will focus on the message intended for Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The Egyptians’ cruel attitude to the Israelites included imposing taxes, hard labor, the decree to the midwives to kill every male newborn, and then the decree to all the Egyptians to throw every male newborn into the Nile. Likewise, the Egyptians’ cruel attitude is also expressed in the appointment of the taskmasters over the Israelites and in worsening the slavery by the decree on the straw. The pagan faith permitted people to behave according to non-moral standards.
The plagues of Egypt damaged, among others, the Egyptians’ beliefs and symbols. For example: the Nile River, the Egyptians’ main source of livelihood was also an important source of fishing and served as a major artery of transportation in Egypt.
Because of Egypt's dependence on the Nile River, it occupied an important and central place in the Egyptians’ faith and was associated with actions of divine forces. The commentators understood that the Egyptians believed that the Nile was a river-god, and that is why they believe that the Nile was struck first. According to them, turning the water of the Nile into blood symbolized the death and annihilation of the Egyptian river-god.
Killing the fish in the river can also be perceived as a blow to the Egyptians’ faith, because the fish is one of the distinct symbols of the river-god. Fish were also considered sacred in Egypt and were even worshiped as a god. Even the plague of frogs presents an ethical struggle against the Egyptian faith. Moshe David Kasuto explains that "The Egyptians regarded the frogs that infested the waters in innumerable numbers as a divine power, and saw them as a symbol of fertility ... The Torah tells a story that intends to teach us that only the God of Israel rules the world, and He alone gives the power of fertility to His creations, as He chooses."
Contrary to the values on which the Egyptian culture is based, the Torah established various laws dealing with a foreigner, based on Jewish values – respect, equality, q and justice. For example: " You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 23:9), and also: “You shall not subvert the rights of the stranger or the fatherless; you shall not take a widow’s garment in pawn.” “Remember that you were a slave in Egypt and that your God ה' redeemed you from there; therefore do I enjoin you to observe this commandment.” (Deuteronomy 24:17-18).
* In this lesson we recommend working with the “On the Map” program which helps students experience the Exodus, based on the location of Egypt and the Egyptian culture.
In the previous lesson we discussed the scope of the Ten Plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt.
In this lesson we will delve into the question - What was the purpose of the plagues?
We will ask: G-d inflicted the plagues as part of the process of bringing the Israelites, a people of slaves, out of Egypt.
Survey question – Who do you think such plagues can affect? Who were they actually meant for? Pharaoh? The Egyptians? The whole world? The Israelites in Egypt? And the Jewish People in future generations.
After the students answer the survey, hold a short discussion in class and allow the students to give reason for their choice, as well as to bring proof from the verses, to confirm their claim.
1. The purpose of bringing the plague is usually mentioned in the warning given to Pharaoh.
Students will review the presentation once again. They will read the verses in the column “Warning plague ahead” in each slide and work according to the assignments.
We have seen that the recurring goal is that the Egyptians and Pharaoh recognize God.
Now, we will go even deeper into the process that Pharaoh, his servants, and the magicians experienced during the plagues, towards recognizing God.
The activity is attached here: The purpose of the plagues.
We have seen that the recurring goal in describing the plagues is that the Egyptians and Pharaoh recognize God’s strength and dominance in the world.
We will ask – if the purpose of the plagues is to force Pharaoh to free the Israelites and let them leave Egypt, why is it so important that he also acknowledge God?
The students will refer to A presentation of Egyptian beliefs and culture that describes the beliefs and culture in Egypt, according to what they have learned so far. Also, the students will briefly learn about the religious concept in ancient Egypt, regarding the Nile River and the frogs, from which they will learn about the purpose of the struggle against the Egyptian gods.
Learning about the Egyptian culture and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians can illuminate another aspect of the purpose of the plagues.
After reviewing the presentation, we will discuss the following questions:
1. What is the significance of the Nile River to the ancient Egyptians?
2. How were the frogs perceived by the ancient Egyptians?
3. How does Pharaoh perceive himself? (Refer to his statements and his actions)
3. What is the message that God conveys to Pharaoh and the Egyptians through the plagues?
Suggestions for ways of holding the discussion:
1. We will write each question in advance on a separate page / flipchart / board and hang it on the wall.
2. The students will write an answer to each of the questions.
3. We will divide the students into three groups. Each group will deal with one question and will word an answer, based on the different answers offered by the students in the class.
4. A representative from each group will share their answer.
In conclusion, we saw that the purpose of the plagues was to teach the Egyptians that ה' is God, as well as to announce a new way of morals and values that would come into the world with the birth of the people of the Jewish People.
The students will read sources in the attached worksheet that deal with Judaism’s relationship to converts and foreigners and will emphasize the contrast between the Egyptians’ perception and the belief of the Jewish People, under the leadership of God. The students will also discuss the meaning of these commandments in relation to their own lives. The concluding questions on the worksheet deal with this aspect. It is worth repeating them in the class discussion.
We will present the students' work in the plenary – as a visual or verbal expression of the message that arises from mitzvot related to the convert.
To conclude this unit, we will mention the fact that the whole world heard about the plagues in Egypt and thus learned about G-d.
We will give the students sources about the significance of the Exodus in the eyes of the people of that time and of future generations. The students will discuss the purpose of the plagues - "And the Egyptians shall know that I am G-d,” in the presented events.
The activity is attached to the worksheet – Were the goals of the plagues in Egypt achieved?
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