The Ten Plagues

Haggadah Section: -- Ten Plagues

As we celebrate our escape from enslavement, we acknowledge that our independence was achieved with great struggle. We feel remorse that our liberation resulted in the agony of our captors, for we are all sentient beings who can experience pain and suffering. As we recollect the plagues, we pour a drop of water to represent the afflictions suffered by all.

Dip a finger or a spoon into your wine glass for a drop for each plague.

The ten plagues that befell the Egyptians represent a range of issues that sentient beings can face. These are the ten plagues which were brought down on the Egyptians:

1. Blood: The water turned to blood, killing all fish and making it undrinkable. This plague represents the pollution of our waterways and the harm it causes to aquatic life.
“And when Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not listen to them, just as the Lord had predicted, he said to Moses, ‘I shall turn the Nile into blood, and there will be blood throughout the land of Egypt, even in the wooden and stone vessels.’ And Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded.” - Exodus 7:22-23

2. Frogs: Frogs infested the land, causing chaos and discomfort. This plague can evoke thoughts of the impacts of habitat loss on wild animal welfare.
“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to Aaron, “Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals and over the ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.”’ So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said." - Exodus 8:5-15

3. Lice: Dust turned into lice, causing irritation and discomfort. This plague can remind us of the harm caused by diseases that spread rapidly, such as pandemics.
"And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to Aaron, “Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, and it shall become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.”’ And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt." - Exodus 8:16-17

4. Wild animals: Swarms of wild animals, including flies, mosquitoes, and locusts, devastated crops and caused chaos. This plague represents the impact of climate change and environmental destruction on animal habitats and ecosystems.
"Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh and say to him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me. For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, behold, the hand of the Lord will come with a very severe plague on your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks." - Exodus 9:1-3

5. Pestilence: Cattle died from a pestilence, causing suffering and hardship for farmers and their animals. This plague highlights the risks of zoonotic diseases originating in animal farming. It also can symbolize the suffering of those living in extreme poverty or without access to adequate healthcare.
"Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt." - Exodus 9:8-9


6. Boils: Boils broke out on people and animals, causing pain and discomfort. This plague represents the impact of disease and infection on those living in poverty.
"So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast." - Exodus 9:10

7. Hail and Fire: Hail and fire destroyed crops and animals, causing widespread suffering and devastation. This plague represents the impact of extreme weather events on animal welfare and the environment.
"Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field, in the land of Egypt.’ Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt. There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation." - Exodus 9:22-24

8. Locusts: Locusts swarmed the land, devouring crops and causing famine. This plague represents the impact of environmental destruction and natural disasters on food security and animal habitats.
"Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, so that they may come upon
"Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, so that they may come upon the land of Egypt and eat every plant in the land, all that the hail has left.’ So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east wind upon the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind had brought the locusts. The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled on the whole country of Egypt, such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever shall be again." - Exodus 10:12-14

9. Darkness: Darkness covered the land for three days, causing fear and uncertainty. This plague can symbolize the existential threats posed by potential astronomical suffering in the far future.
"Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.’ So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived." - Exodus 10:21-23

10. Death of the firstborn: The firstborn of every household in Egypt died, including those of animals, causing widespread grief and sorrow. This plague represents the impact of systemic oppression on the lives of all beings, and the need for liberation and justice for all.
"At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead." - Exodus 12:29-30

As we reflect on the plagues, we are reminded that the suffering of all beings, including animals, is interconnected. Climate change, environmental destruction, and systemic oppression have devastating impacts on animals and humans alike. We must work towards justice and liberation for all beings, and protect the planet for current and future generations.

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