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Exodus 9:23 - Divine wrath through nature's fury

Exodus 9:23 - שמות 9:23

Hebrew Text

וַיֵּט מֹשֶׁה אֶת־מַטֵּהוּ עַל־הַשָּׁמַיִם וַיהוָה נָתַן קֹלֹת וּבָרָד וַתִּהֲלַךְ אֵשׁ אָרְצָה וַיַּמְטֵר יְהוָה בָּרָד עַל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And Moshe stretched out his rod towards heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran down upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Va-yet Moshe et-matehu al-ha-shamayim va-Adonai natan kolot u-varad va-tihalakh esh aretsah va-yamter Adonai barad al-eretz Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֵּ֨ט מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת־מַטֵּ֘הוּ֮ עַל־הַשָּׁמַ֒יִם֒ וַֽיהֹוָ֗ה נָתַ֤ן קֹלֹת֙ וּבָרָ֔ד וַתִּ֥הֲלַךְ אֵ֖שׁ אָ֑רְצָה וַיַּמְטֵ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה בָּרָ֖ד עַל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיֵּ֨ט מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת־מַטֵּ֘הוּ֮ עַל־הַשָּׁמַ֒יִם֒ וַֽיהֹוָ֗ה נָתַ֤ן קֹלֹת֙ וּבָרָ֔ד וַתִּ֥הֲלַךְ אֵ֖שׁ אָ֑רְצָה וַיַּמְטֵ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה בָּרָ֖ד עַל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Seventh Plague: Hail and Fire

The verse describes the seventh plague brought upon Egypt—hail mixed with fire—as Moshe stretches his rod toward heaven. This plague demonstrated Hashem's absolute dominion over nature, as fire and water (hail) coexisted miraculously against their natural tendencies (Rashi on Shemot 9:23). The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 12:3) explains that this was a display of divine power, proving that even opposing elements obey Hashem's will.

The Symbolism of the Plague

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:29) teaches that each plague targeted Egypt's false beliefs. Hail and fire together negated the Egyptian worship of natural forces, showing that Hashem controls all elements. Additionally, the hail destroyed crops and livestock, striking at Egypt's economic strength (Ibn Ezra on Shemot 9:25).

Moshe's Role in the Plague

Moshe's act of stretching his rod toward heaven signifies that the plague came directly from Hashem, not through natural causes (Sforno on Shemot 9:23). The Talmud (Berachot 54b) notes that Moshe's precise obedience in performing the miracle highlights the importance of following divine commandments exactly as instructed.

The Thunder and Hail as Divine Messages

The thunder (kolot) served as a warning before the hail, giving the Egyptians a final chance to repent (Rashi on Shemot 9:23). The Midrash (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 43) states that the fire within the hail symbolized Hashem's judgment, as fire represents both purification and punishment in Jewish thought.

  • Miraculous Nature: Fire and hail together defied natural law, proving Hashem's supremacy (Malbim on Shemot 9:24).
  • Selective Judgment: Goshen, where Bnei Yisrael dwelled, was spared, showing Hashem's protection of His people (Chizkuni on Shemot 9:26).
  • Divine Precision: The hail destroyed only what was left in the field, fulfilling Pharaoh's earlier refusal to let the Israelites go (Ramban on Shemot 9:25).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 54b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing miracles and the appropriate blessings to recite upon witnessing natural phenomena that recall God's wonders in Egypt.
📖 Ta'anit 3b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the power of prayer and divine intervention, using the plagues of Egypt as an example of God's control over nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that Moshe stretched out his rod towards heaven in Exodus 9:23?
A: According to Rashi, Moshe stretching out his rod towards heaven was a symbolic act demonstrating that the plague of hail came from Hashem's command, not Moshe's own power. The rod was a tool through which Hashem performed miracles, showing that everything comes from the Divine.
Q: Why did Hashem send thunder, hail, and fire in this plague?
A: The Midrash explains that the combination of thunder, hail, and fire was meant to demonstrate Hashem's complete control over nature. Thunder represents sound, hail represents water, and fire represents heat—showing that Hashem can manipulate all elements to carry out His will. Rambam teaches that these plagues were also meant to break Egypt's arrogance and prove that their false gods had no power.
Q: Was the hail in Exodus 9:23 a natural event or a miracle?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 54b) teaches that the hail was a supernatural miracle because fire and water (hail) do not normally coexist. This demonstrated Hashem's ability to override the laws of nature. Rashi adds that the fire was miraculously contained within the hailstones, making it clear that this was a divine punishment.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of hail today?
A: The Sages teach that the hail reminds us of Hashem's absolute power and justice. Just as He punished Egypt for their cruelty, He holds all nations accountable. Additionally, the fact that some Egyptians heeded Moshe's warning (Exodus 9:20) teaches the importance of listening to divine warnings and repenting before it's too late.
Q: Why was this plague specifically directed at the land of Egypt?
A: According to the Midrash, Egypt worshipped the Nile and the sky as gods. By bringing hail from the sky and fire from above, Hashem showed that these 'gods' were powerless against Him. Additionally, the hail destroyed crops and livestock, striking at Egypt's economic strength, proving that their prosperity depended on Hashem's will.