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Exodus 8:12 - Divine power transforms dust.

Exodus 8:12 - שמות 8:12

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אֱמֹר אֶל־אַהֲרֹן נְטֵה אֶת־מַטְּךָ וְהַךְ אֶת־עֲפַר הָאָרֶץ וְהָיָה לְכִנִּם בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, Say to Aharon, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may turn into lice throughout all the land of Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe emor el-Aharon nete et-matecha ve'hak et-afar ha'aretz ve'haya le'kinim be'chol eretz Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָה֮ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֒ אֱמֹר֙ אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֔ן נְטֵ֣ה אֶֽת־מַטְּךָ֔ וְהַ֖ךְ אֶת־עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֑רֶץ וְהָיָ֥ה לְכִנִּ֖ם בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָה֮ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֒ אֱמֹר֙ אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֔ן נְטֵ֣ה אֶֽת־מַטְּךָ֔ וְהַ֖ךְ אֶת־עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֑רֶץ וְהָיָ֥ה לְכִנִּ֖ם בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Command to Aharon

The verse states that Hashem instructed Moshe to tell Aharon to strike the dust, rather than performing the act himself. Rashi (Shemot 8:12) explains that Moshe was not permitted to strike the dust because the earth had protected him when he killed the Egyptian (Shemot 2:12) and buried the body in the sand. Since the dust had done him a kindness, it would be improper for him to afflict it. This teaches the principle of hakarat hatov (recognizing and repaying kindness), even to inanimate objects.

The Significance of the Lice Plague

The plague of lice (kinim) was the third of the ten plagues. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 10:7) notes that the Egyptian magicians could not replicate this miracle, admitting, "This is the finger of G-d" (Shemot 8:15). Unlike the previous plagues, which involved water or frogs (elements that could be manipulated through sorcery), lice emerged from the earth—something beyond the magicians' control. This demonstrated Hashem's absolute dominion over all creation.

Aharon's Role in the Plagues

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:46) suggests that Aharon was chosen to initiate this plague to emphasize that the miracles were performed by Hashem's will, not Moshe's personal power. Additionally, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 67b) teaches that the first two plagues (blood and frogs) were brought about through water, an element associated with Moshe (who was saved from the Nile). The shift to Aharon for the third plague underscores that the plagues were a divine, not human, endeavor.

Symbolism of the Dust

The dust turning into lice carries deeper meaning. The Midrash (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 48) states that the lice afflicted the Egyptians in their most private spaces—their beds and clothing—symbolizing that impurity (represented by lice) had permeated every aspect of their lives. Furthermore, the dust (afar) recalls Hashem's curse to Adam (Bereishit 3:19), "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return," hinting at the mortality and futility of Egypt's resistance to Hashem's will.

  • Lesson in Humility: The dust, the lowliest of elements, was used to humble the arrogant Egyptians.
  • Divine Precision: The lice only afflicted the Egyptians, sparing Bnei Yisrael, showing Hashem's selective justice.
  • Nature's Submission: Even the earth obeyed Hashem’s command, contrasting with Pharaoh’s defiance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 8b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the plagues in Egypt, particularly focusing on the role of Aaron in executing the plague of lice.
📖 Sanhedrin 67b
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing miracles and the nature of the plagues, emphasizing the transformation of dust into lice as a divine act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Aharon, not Moshe, strike the dust to bring the plague of lice?
A: Rashi explains that since the dust protected Moshe when he buried the Egyptian (Exodus 2:12), it would be improper for him to strike it. Therefore, Aharon performed this miracle out of respect for the dust that aided Moshe.
Q: What is the significance of the plague of lice (kinim)?
A: The Midrash teaches that lice represented a humiliation of Egypt's false gods, as their priests prided themselves on cleanliness but were now covered in vermin. Additionally, the Rambam notes that this plague demonstrated G-d's complete control over even the smallest creatures.
Q: Why did this plague come from the dust of the land?
A: The Talmud (Chullin 7b) explains that the dust miraculously transformed into lice to show that even the earth itself obeys G-d's commands. This was a direct challenge to Egyptian idolatry that worshipped the earth and nature.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of lice?
A: The Sages teach that this plague reminds us that G-d's power extends to every detail of creation - even something as small as a louse. It also shows that impurity (represented by lice) comes from abusing the earth (dust), teaching us to use the physical world properly.
Q: Why couldn't the Egyptian magicians replicate this plague?
A: Rashi explains that the magicians could only manipulate existing creatures through dark arts, but couldn't create life from inanimate dust. When they admitted 'This is the finger of G-d' (Exodus 8:15), they acknowledged the limit of their powers and G-d's supreme authority.