Summary

The plagues proved that every being is under G'd's control. At the plague of darkness, it became apparent that the pattern of day and night only continues as long as G'd decides. By the plagues of hail and locust, G'd showed that all the produce will be consumed and the trees and herbage will be destroyed if G'd decides to punish the people of a country for their misdeeds. At the plague of frogs, G'd showed how He controls the creatures of the water. During the plague of wild beasts, G'd displayed how every wild animal was doing only what G'd wanted. G'd created everything for the benefit of man. The miraculous plagues serve as witness that G'd not only created the world but is in total control of every part of Creation, and is involved in day to day affairs as He pleases and sees fit. Since G'd is not ready to make miracles in every generation, He therefore commanded us to make reference to the miracles at the time of the exodus from Egypt on a constant basis. The open miracles that took place, help us open our eyes and see G'd's Hand in the hidden daily miracles that we all experience.

Under G'd's control

Last week we discussed how the plagues clearly showed how G'd is in charge of each of the four elements that were created and installed during the first two days of Creation. This week we shall look at how the plagues proved that every being is under G'd's control.

Darkness

On the first day of Creation G'd created light and darkness, and on the fourth day He created the sun and moon, as well as the stars. G'd instituted that the sun shines and gives light during the day, and the moon and stars illuminate the darkness of the night. At the plague of darkness, it became apparent that this pattern of day and night only continues as long as G'd decides. When G'd decided that it should be dark for six complete days, that is exactly what happened. G'd brought about different levels of darkness, and did not provide any illumination.

Hail and locust

On the third day of Creation, G'd gathered the water in the oceans and the dry land appeared. He then created the vegetation, such as different kinds of herbage and trees, that produced seeds and fruit. By the plagues of hail and locust, G'd showed that all the produce will be consumed and the trees and herbage will be destroyed if G'd decides to punish the people of a country for their misdeeds. No one could claim that it was a natural disaster, for only the area of the Egyptians was smitten with hail, whereas the land of Goshen, where the Jews lived, was untouched.

Frogs and locust

On the fifth day G'd created the creatures of the water and those who fly in the sky. At the plague of frogs, G'd showed how He controls the creatures of the water. They left their natural habitat and went all over. Similarly, by the plague of locust, it was clear that they came at the exact time G'd had told Moses, and they left at the time when Moses prayed to G'd that they should leave.

Wild animals

On the sixth day of Creation G'd created all the animals that live on dry land. During the plague of wild beasts, G'd displayed how every wild animal was doing only what G'd wanted. Even the animals that normally stay away from cities and towns, entered right into the houses. However, not one animal went to the area of Goshen, where the Jews lived.

Everything created for man

Adam and Eve were also created on the sixth day. Every other being was ready for them, when they were created. G'd created everything for the benefit of man. As long as we do what G'd expects of us, all of creation is here to serve us. However, if we go against the will of G'd, G'd will bring the very creations that He created for us and use them to punish us. This is what happened during the ten plagues. G'd punished the Egyptians with every part of the creation, and at the same time proved all the heretics wrong.

Total control

At the end of this week's parasha the Ramban points out that these miraculous plagues serve as witness that G'd not only created the world but is in total control of every part of Creation, and is involved in day to day affairs as He pleases and sees fit.

Remember the miracles

The Ramban continues to explain that since G'd is not ready to make miracles in every generation, He therefore commanded us to make reference to the miracles that took place at the time of the exodus from Egypt on a constant basis. Once a year we observe the Festival of Pesach to commemorate and speak about the exodus. In addition to this, G'd instructed us to affix mezuzot on our doorposts and put tefillin on our heads and arms, in which these miracles are recorded on small scrolls of parchment. G'd further instructed us to mention the exodus from Egypt every evening and morning in the last paragraph of Shema, and in the blessings after Shema. These are but a few examples of the many mitzvot that we observe to keep reminding ourselves about the exodus and the many miracles G'd did for us both during the plagues and after we left Egypt.

Hidden daily miracles

The Ramban concludes that the open miracles that took place then, help us open our eyes and see G'd's Hand in the hidden daily miracles that we all experience.

In the merit of believing that everything that happens to us is guided by G'd, may we soon again see the open miracles that G'd will perform when He puts an end to this exile with the coming of Mashiach. Amen.

These words were based on notes of Rabbi Avraham Kahn, the Rosh Yeshiva and Founder of Yeshivas Keser Torah in Toronto.

Shalom. Michael Deverett