The Tenth Plague

The First Pesach

This year we will be getting a tiny little taste of what it must have been like for our ancestors on the very first Pesach ever celebrated. Just as they were all secluded in their homes eating Matzah and Marror while death reigned all over Egypt, we will be doing practically the same thing here in America – and all over the world for almost the same reasons.  Our ancestors were directed by God to paint their doorposts with the blood of the paschal lamb and stay indoors. Although we will not be painting our doorposts with blood, we too are being directed by God (via the Halacha of Pikuach Nefesh) to stay indoors.

Although the comparison is not exact, the feeling is inescapable. At least for me. 

It is my usual custom to relate a short D’var Torah on Erev Yom Tov. There is no reason not to do so this year.  As is often the case I found a relevant D’var Torah in Torah L’Daas. It is about the 10^th plague – Makos Bechoros

As most people know there were ten plagues that God thrust upon the Egyptians to show His mighty hand. God purposely waited until the 10^th plague before unlocking Pharaoh’s hardened heart to let our people go and serve Him. The tenth plague is how the holiday got its name. Pesach means door and Passover is what the Mashchis (as it is referred to in the Torah) did  to our homes as it was killing all the Egyptian firstborn. It passed over all the homes our ancestors whose doorpost were painted with lamb’s blood.

The fact that the Torah tells us that there was a Mashchis contradicts the theme mentioned in the Hagadah itself. It was God himself that saved us, not His messenger (Moshe) or an angel. That is in fact why Moshe’s name is  mentioned but once - and only in passing. To show that it was God, not Moshe.

What is this Mashchis about, then?

The Gra answers that indeed it was God that directly killed the Egyptian firstborn. When the Torah tells us that the Mashchis was not able to enter the homes of our ancestors, it was about those Jews  who were destined to die of natural causes. Which is done by the Malach HaMoves – the Angel of Death. On that night however not a single Jew died. Not even those destined to die naturally. So that the Egyptians would not be able to say that Jews were dying too - and the plague was not directed to themselves only. The Beis Halevi adds that there were non firstborn Egyptians that died that night too. They were killed by the Mashchis.

As we sit in our homes this evening retelling the story of the Exodus, a different kind of Mashchis will be passing over us.  Let us all pray that no more lives will be taken; those who are ill get well;  that we will soon see an end to this plague; and a return to some semblance of normalcy, quickly.

Chag Kosher V’Sameach - May all of us have a Kosher and joyous Pesach.

Here are some past Pesach Dvrei Torah:

Pour Out Your Wrath

Exodus
The Four Cups

Why are Women Required to Recite the Haggadah

Sinas Chinam and Pesach

The Fifth Cup

The Torah is Not in Heaven

L'fichach

Pesach, Matza, Marror

Yochel MeRosh Chodesh

Amen

Maschil B'Gnus U'Mesayem B'Shvach

Heseibah L'ikuva

Kol Difchin

Baruch Shomer Haftechaso

The Haggadah and Kriyas Yam Suf

Kriyas Yam Suf

Torah Thoughts for the Seder