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Exodus 8:7 - Frogs retreat, river remains.

Exodus 8:7 - שמות 8:7

Hebrew Text

וְסָרוּ הַצְפַרְדְּעִים מִמְּךָ וּמִבָּתֶּיךָ וּמֵעֲבָדֶיךָ וּמֵעַמֶּךָ רַק בַּיְאֹר תִּשָּׁאַרְנָה׃

English Translation

And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the River only.

Transliteration

Vesaru hatzfarde'im mimcha umibatecha ume'avadecha ume'amecha rak baye'or tisha'arna.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְסָר֣וּ הַֽצְפַרְדְּעִ֗ים מִמְּךָ֙ וּמִבָּ֣תֶּ֔יךָ וּמֵעֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וּמֵעַמֶּ֑ךָ רַ֥ק בַּיְאֹ֖ר תִּשָּׁאַֽרְנָה׃
וְסָר֣וּ הַֽצְפַרְדְּעִ֗ים מִמְּךָ֙ וּמִבָּ֣תֶּ֔יךָ וּמֵעֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וּמֵעַמֶּ֑ךָ רַ֥ק בַּיְאֹ֖ר תִּשָּׁאַֽרְנָה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Exodus 8:7) explains that the phrase "וְסָרוּ הַצְפַרְדְּעִים" ("And the frogs shall depart") indicates that the frogs would not merely die off but would actively retreat from Pharaoh's presence, his houses, and his people. The exception—"רַק בַּיְאֹר תִּשָּׁאַרְנָה" ("only in the River shall they remain")—teaches that the frogs would return to their natural habitat in the Nile, demonstrating that the plague was not a random natural disaster but a controlled act of divine intervention.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 10:4) elaborates that the frogs exhibited extraordinary behavior during the plague, entering even the ovens of the Egyptians (as referenced earlier in Exodus 7:28). The fact that they retreated precisely as Moshe foretold underscores the precision of divine justice—miracles were reversed just as they were enacted, leaving no doubt of Hashem's power.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:5) uses this verse to illustrate the principle of divine providence. The frogs' departure was conditional upon Pharaoh's response, teaching that even in the midst of punishment, there is an opportunity for repentance. The retention of frogs in the Nile alone signifies that the natural order was restored partially, leaving room for Pharaoh to recognize Hashem's authority.

Chassidic Interpretation

The Baal HaTanya (Likutei Torah, Shemot) highlights the phrase "מִמְּךָ וּמִבָּתֶּיךָ" ("from thee and from thy houses") as a lesson in personal refinement. Just as the frogs departed from the Egyptians' private spaces, so too must a person strive to remove spiritual "frogs"—distractions and impurities—from their own "house," i.e., their heart and mind.

Halachic Implication

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 67b) derives from this verse that a miracle performed for a specific purpose does not linger unnecessarily. Since the frogs' role in punishing Egypt was complete, they withdrew, reinforcing the principle that supernatural events are purposeful and temporary.

  • Divine Precision: The frogs' retreat was exact, leaving none outside the Nile.
  • Repentance Opportunity: The partial removal hinted at Pharaoh’s chance to repent.
  • Spiritual Allegory: The departure symbolizes the removal of negative influences from one’s life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 53b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the timing of the plague of frogs and the extent of their departure from Egypt.
📖 Sotah 11a
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing the miracles performed during the Exodus from Egypt, particularly the selective nature of the plague's cessation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse 'And the frogs shall depart from thee...' mean?
A: This verse is part of the plague of frogs in Egypt. Hashem tells Pharaoh that the frogs, which had overrun Egypt, will leave the land, people, and homes—remaining only in the Nile River. This shows Hashem's control over nature and His ability to bring and remove plagues as He wills (Rashi on Exodus 8:7).
Q: Why did the frogs remain in the Nile River after the plague?
A: The frogs remained in the Nile to serve as a reminder of the miracle and Hashem's power. Even after the plague ended, the presence of frogs in the Nile was a sign that the miracle was real and not a natural occurrence (Midrash Tanchuma, Va'eira 14).
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of frogs?
A: The plague teaches us about the consequences of stubbornness (like Pharaoh's refusal to let the Israelites go) and Hashem's precision in judgment. The frogs invaded every part of Egyptian life, showing that disobedience to Hashem's will disrupts all aspects of existence (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah 3:4).
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: Just as the frogs left when Hashem commanded, we learn that challenges in life are under Hashem's control. When we repent and follow His ways, He can remove hardships from our lives (Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 17b).
Q: Why were the frogs only in the Nile at the end of the plague?
A: The Nile was the source of the frogs' origin (Exodus 7:28), so their return there symbolized the completion of the plague. It also demonstrated that the miracle was reversible—Hashem could both bring and remove the frogs (Ibn Ezra on Exodus 8:7).