Why didn’t Hashem just make one big plague on the Mitzriyim? What was the need for 10?
Grandpa Joe lived by himself and was a master chef in his younger years. When he would make dinner for himself, he did not have the patience to make elaborate meals, so he made it very simple. Toast, scrambled eggs and tuna fish were among his favorites. However when his grandchildren would come for dinner, Grandpa Joe would transform into his younger self. He would make a variety of his favorite dishes and desserts so that all his grandchildren would be excited.
Hashem wanted to show his mastery to all the Jewish people and all future generations. He wanted to make sure everyone was inspired. Sometimes what inspires one person doesn’t necessarily inspire others. Hashem did a variety of makkos to ensure each person was blown away and would share the awesome miracles with their kids and grandkids.
Which makkah is the most exciting one for you?
Jewish people value hard work. Then why are we celebrating freedom?
Jim was an American boxer who was training for the championship battle. He hired an expensive coach to train him so he could win. The coach had Jim wake up early and run a few miles. He made him pick up very heavy weights and put him on a very strict diet. Jim felt as if he was on top of the world.
Steven, on the other hand, was an American soldier in Iraq who was kidnapped by the Iraqi troops. The Iraqi’s were proud of their catch and decided to torture Steven. They made him wake up early and run a few miles. They made him pick up very heavy packages and put him on a very strict diet. Steven felt as if he was dying a slow death.
What’s the difference between Steven and Jim? There are two types of work – one type destroys a person and one type rejuvenates him. The Jews were enslaved to a master that wanted to destroy them – physically and emotionally. He made them do useless work. He had them build in places where their work would sink into the ground. They had no time to think and their work was like a slow death.
When we were freed, all that happened was that we switched masters. We were still slaves, but now to a master who believed in us and wanted to make us great. It was like having a good coach who works his students hard to win the championship.
We are not celebrating that we are free – but that now we are servants of Hashem.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 31 Special Pesach.
