Plague of Frogs
The plague of frogs is the second of ten plagues that God wrought upon the Egyptians when Pharoah refused to let the enslaved Israelites go. It is described in Exodus 8:1-11
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Frogs Unleashed: Divine WrathTANAKH
Frogs Unleashed: Divine Wrath
TANAKH
The plague of frogs illustrates the direct intervention of Moses and Aaron as they execute God's commands and interact with Pharaoh. In the second book of the Torah, Exodus, the account of the ten plagues inflicted upon Egypt, including the plague of frogs, underscores the pivotal role of Moses and Aaron in the people of Israel's miraculous redemption.
God's Purpose Through FrogsMIDRASH
God's Purpose Through Frogs
MIDRASH
Even the smallest creatures, like frogs, are part of God's creation and can be used to fulfill divine purposes. Shemot Rabbah, a medieval midrashic work on the book of Exodus, offers a homiletic interpretation of the plagues in Egypt, emphasizing God's control over all creatures.
The Multiplying FrogCOMMENTARY
The Multiplying Frog
COMMENTARY
The midrashic interpretation of the frog plague suggests that the initial frog multiplied into swarms when struck, blending literal and allegorical explanations. In his 11th-century commentary on the Torah, Rashi provides both a midrashic view and a straightforward explanation of this phenomenon in his commentary on Exodus 8:2.
The Lesson from the FrogsTALMUD
The Lesson from the Frogs
TALMUD
If even frogs, who were not commanded to sanctify God's name, willingly entered burning ovens during the plague in Egypt, how much more should humans, who are commanded to sanctify God's name, be willing to face death for this purpose? The Talmud in tractate Pesachim draws an a fortiori inference from the behavior of the frogs during the plague in Egypt to emphasize the importance of sanctifying God's name.
The Torment of FrogsKABBALAH
The Torment of Frogs
KABBALAH
The supernatural and persistent nature of the frogs made the plague particularly unbearable for the Egyptians. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, offers a vivid interpretation of the plague in Egypt.
The Lingering StenchCOMMENTARY
The Lingering Stench
COMMENTARY
The lingering stench from the dead frogs should have subdued Pharaoh, but the spaciousness of Egypt mitigated its impact. Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz, in his early 17th-century Torah commentary Kli Yakar, explores the unique aspects of this plague and Pharaoh's reaction.
The Irony of the Plague of FrogsCOMMENTARY
The Irony of the Plague of Frogs
COMMENTARY
The Egyptian magicians' attempts to replicate the plagues only worsened the situation, highlighting the irony and futility of their actions. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores the biblical narrative of the Ten Plagues, focusing on the competition between Moses and Aaron and the Egyptian magicians.
The Power of IntercessionJEWISH THOUGHT
The Power of Intercession
JEWISH THOUGHT
Moses's prayers played a vital role in ending the plagues, including the plague of frogs, which otherwise would have continued beyond their initial period. The Maharal of Prague, in his 16th-century work Gevurot Hashem, highlights the significant impact of Moses's intercession in halting the plagues and underscores the divine timing associated with their duration.
The Zeal of the FrogsMIDRASH
The Zeal of the Frogs
MIDRASH
The frogs' extraordinary zeal and divine mission during the second plague in Egypt highlight their miraculous nature and unwavering devotion to God's will. Louis Ginzberg's early 20th-century work, 'Legends of the Jews,' offers a rich tapestry of Jewish folklore and biblical stories, emphasizing themes of faith and divine intervention.
Divine Strategy in the PlaguesMIDRASH
Divine Strategy in the Plagues
MIDRASH
The plagues in Egypt were not random acts of destruction but a calculated strategy by God to subdue Pharaoh and liberate the people of Israel. The Midrash Tanchuma, an early medieval collection of midrash, offers a detailed narrative likening God's actions to the military tactics of a king.
Frogs in the KitchenCOMMENTARY
Frogs in the Kitchen
COMMENTARY
The frogs caused significant disruption to the Egyptians' daily lives, particularly by interfering with their baking process. The 17th-century Midrash BeChiddush offers a vivid and detailed account of how the frogs invaded Egyptian homes, cooling ovens and eating dough, thereby causing immense frustration.
A Single Frog TransformedCOMMENTARY
A Single Frog Transformed
COMMENTARY
The locusts, unlike the frogs, did not die because they were not created specifically for the plague but were transported from their natural habitat. Rabbi Jacob ben Asher, in his medieval commentary Tur HaArokh, explains the unique nature of the plague involving frogs in Egypt.
The Sanctification of God's Name through Moses's ProphecyCHASIDUT
The Sanctification of God's Name through Moses's Prophecy
CHASIDUT
The meticulous fulfillment of Moses's words by God underscores the sanctification of God's name and the importance of Moses as a prophet. Rabbi Chaim Tyrer of Czernowitz, in his 19th-century Torah commentary Be'er Mayim Chaim, details how the frogs died in a specific order to fulfill Moses's prophecy exactly.
A Land Overrun by Aquatic InvadersSECOND TEMPLE
A Land Overrun by Aquatic Invaders
SECOND TEMPLE
The infestation was so extensive that it seemed as though nature intended to colonize the land with aquatic animals. Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, vividly describes the pervasive nature of this plague in his work 'On the Life of Moses.'
Negating False BeliefsREFERENCE
Negating False Beliefs
REFERENCE
Each of the plagues was designed to negate the Egyptians' false beliefs and demonstrate God's omnipotence. Rabbi Hayyim Joseph David Azulai, in his encyclopedic work, explains how each plague, including the frogs, refuted specific erroneous beliefs held by Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
The Hardening of Pharaoh's HeartCHASIDUT
The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart
CHASIDUT
Pharaoh’s repeated hardening of his heart, especially following the plague of frogs, led to God further hardening it as a form of divine retribution. Rabbi Shmuel Bornsztain, in his Chasidic discourses, delves into the spiritual and moral dimensions of Pharaoh’s obstinacy and its consequences in the Exodus narrative.
Pharaoh's First SubmissionCOMMENTARY
Pharaoh's First Submission
COMMENTARY
Pharaoh's plea for relief from the plague of frogs marks a significant turning point in the narrative of the Ten Plagues. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging exploration of this pivotal moment, highlighting Pharaoh's initial expression of submission to Moses and Aaron.
