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Exodus 9:29 - Divine dominion over nature.

Exodus 9:29 - שמות 9:29

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו מֹשֶׁה כְּצֵאתִי אֶת־הָעִיר אֶפְרֹשׂ אֶת־כַּפַּי אֶל־יְהוָה הַקֹּלוֹת יֶחְדָּלוּן וְהַבָּרָד לֹא יִהְיֶה־עוֹד לְמַעַן תֵּדַע כִּי לַיהוָה הָאָרֶץ׃

English Translation

And Moshe said to him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayst know that the earth is the Lord’s.

Transliteration

Va'yomer elav Moshe k'tzeiti et-ha'ir efros et-kapai el-Adonai hakolot yechdalun vehabarad lo yihyeh-od lema'an teida ki la'Adonai ha'aretz.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה כְּצֵאתִי֙ אֶת־הָעִ֔יר אֶפְרֹ֥שׂ אֶת־כַּפַּ֖י אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה הַקֹּל֣וֹת יֶחְדָּל֗וּן וְהַבָּרָד֙ לֹ֣א יִֽהְיֶה־ע֔וֹד לְמַ֣עַן תֵּדַ֔ע כִּ֥י לַיהֹוָ֖ה הָאָֽרֶץ׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה כְּצֵאתִי֙ אֶת־הָעִ֔יר אֶפְרֹ֥שׂ אֶת־כַּפַּ֖י אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה הַקֹּל֣וֹת יֶחְדָּל֗וּן וְהַבָּרָד֙ לֹ֣א יִֽהְיֶה־ע֔וֹד לְמַ֣עַן תֵּדַ֔ע כִּ֥י לַיהֹוָ֖ה הָאָֽרֶץ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Shemot 9:29) occurs during the seventh plague of hail (ברד) in Egypt. Moshe informs Pharaoh that once he leaves the city, he will pray to Hashem to end the hail, demonstrating that the earth belongs to Hashem.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments on this verse:

  • "As soon as I am gone out of the city" – Rashi explains that Moshe could not pray within the city because it was filled with idols, and one should not pray in a place of impurity (based on the principle of lo teva'el Hashem Elokecha—Devarim 23:15).
  • "I will spread out my hands to the Lord" – Rashi notes that this gesture symbolizes supplication, as spreading one's hands upward is a posture of prayer (similar to the practice during the priestly blessing).

Rambam's Perspective

The Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Tefillah (5:6) discusses the importance of proper prayer posture, noting that Moshe's spreading of his hands reflects humility and total reliance on Hashem.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 12:5) elaborates:

  • Moshe's departure from the city was not just physical but symbolic—he separated himself from the corruption of Egypt to connect with Hashem in purity.
  • The phrase "that thou mayst know that the earth is the Lord’s" emphasizes that even Pharaoh, who claimed divinity, must recognize Hashem's dominion over nature.

Ibn Ezra's Commentary

Ibn Ezra highlights that Moshe's prayer was immediate and effective to prove that the plagues were not natural phenomena but direct acts of Hashem, countering Egyptian beliefs in natural forces as deities.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Berachot 10b) derives from this verse that one should avoid praying in a place of idolatry or moral degradation, reinforcing the principle of hitchadshut ha'tefillah (renewing prayer in a sanctified space).

Spiritual Message

This verse teaches:

  • The power of tefillah (prayer) to change divine decrees when offered with sincerity.
  • The importance of separating from negative influences to achieve spiritual clarity.
  • The ultimate recognition that all creation is under Hashem's sovereignty.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Ta'anit 7b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the power of prayer and how Moses' actions demonstrate the efficacy of spreading out one's hands in prayer to God.
📖 Berakhot 32b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the importance of prayer and how Moses' prayer for the cessation of the plagues serves as a model for effective supplication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Moshe mean when he says 'the earth is the Lord’s' in Exodus 9:29?
A: Moshe is emphasizing that Hashem has complete control over nature and the world. Rashi explains that this was a response to Pharaoh's arrogance—showing that even the mighty Egyptian empire was under Hashem's dominion. The hail stopping at Moshe's prayer proved that the plague was not a natural event, but a direct act of G-d.
Q: Why did Moshe wait to leave the city before praying for the hail to stop?
A: The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 12:5) teaches that Moshe did not pray inside the city because it was filled with Egyptian idols. As a place of impurity, it was unfit for sincere prayer to Hashem. This teaches us the importance of praying in a proper environment, free from spiritual distractions.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moshe spreading his hands in prayer in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Berachos 10b) derives from this that spreading one's hands upward is a proper posture for heartfelt prayer. Rambam (Hilchos Tefillah 5:4) later codifies this as an optional but meaningful gesture during supplication, showing complete reliance on Hashem.