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Exodus 9:10 - Divine soot brings plagues.

Exodus 9:10 - שמות 9:10

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת־פִּיחַ הַכִּבְשָׁן וַיַּעַמְדוּ לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה וַיִּזְרֹק אֹתוֹ מֹשֶׁה הַשָּׁמָיְמָה וַיְהִי שְׁחִין אֲבַעְבֻּעֹת פֹּרֵחַ בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה׃

English Translation

And they took soot of the furnace, and stood before Par῾o; and Moshe sprinkled it up heavenwards; and it became a pox breaking out in blisters on man and beast.

Transliteration

Vayikchu et-piach hakivshan vaya'amdu lifnei Par'o vayizrok oto Moshe hashamayma vayehi shchin avabu'ot pore'ach ba'adam uvabehema.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקְח֞וּ אֶת־פִּ֣יחַ הַכִּבְשָׁ֗ן וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה וַיִּזְרֹ֥ק אֹת֛וֹ מֹשֶׁ֖ה הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה וַיְהִ֗י שְׁחִין֙ אֲבַעְבֻּעֹ֔ת פֹּרֵ֕חַ בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָֽה׃
וַיִּקְח֞וּ אֶת־פִּ֣יחַ הַכִּבְשָׁ֗ן וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה וַיִּזְרֹ֥ק אֹת֛וֹ מֹשֶׁ֖ה הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה וַיְהִ֗י שְׁחִין֙ אֲבַעְבֻּעֹ֔ת פֹּרֵ֕חַ בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Sixth Plague: Shechin (Boils)

The verse describes the sixth plague inflicted upon Egypt—shechin (boils)—which afflicted both humans and animals. This plague was unique in that it was the first to cause physical suffering directly to the Egyptians' bodies, rather than affecting their environment or possessions.

Symbolism of the Furnace Soot

Rashi (Shemot 9:10) explains that Moshe and Aharon took soot from the furnace (piach hakivshan) as a symbolic act. The furnace represents the harsh labor the Egyptians imposed on the Jews, particularly the brick kilns where they were forced to work. By using this very soot, Hashem demonstrated that the Egyptians were being punished measure for measure (middah k'neged middah) for their cruelty.

Why Moshe Alone Performed the Act

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 11:5) notes that Aharon did not participate in casting the soot because he had previously shown kindness to the Egyptians during the plague of blood and frogs. Since this plague caused suffering directly to their bodies, it was unfitting for Aharon, who embodied peace and kindness, to be involved.

The Nature of the Plague

  • Shechin (Boils): The boils were not merely superficial but breaking out in blisters (shechin aba'abu'ot porei'ach), indicating severe, festering wounds (Ibn Ezra).
  • Affliction on Beasts: Unlike earlier plagues that targeted livestock, this plague struck both humans and animals simultaneously, demonstrating Hashem's complete dominion over all flesh (Ramban).

Pharaoh's Hardened Heart

The Torah later states (Shemot 9:12) that Hashem hardened Pharaoh's heart after this plague. The Kli Yakar explains that Pharaoh had already reached a point of such wickedness that he was no longer capable of repentance, and thus, his free will was restricted to fulfill Divine justice.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Shabbat 97b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of the plagues in Egypt, particularly the plague of boils, to illustrate the severity of divine punishment.
📖 Sanhedrin 67b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the miracles performed by Moses and the nature of the plagues as signs of divine power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the soot from the furnace in Exodus 9:10?
A: According to Rashi, the soot from the furnace symbolizes the harsh slavery the Israelites endured in Egypt, as furnaces were used for brick-making. By using this soot, Hashem showed that the very instrument of oppression would now bring punishment upon the Egyptians.
Q: Why did Moses throw the soot toward the sky in Exodus 9:10?
A: The Midrash explains that Moses threw the soot upward to demonstrate that the plague came from Heaven, showing that Hashem controls all forces of nature. This act emphasized that the plague was a divine punishment, not a natural occurrence.
Q: What was the purpose of the plague of boils (שחין) in Exodus 9:10?
A: The plague of boils was meant to humble the Egyptians, particularly their magicians, who could not stand before Moses due to their affliction (Exodus 9:11). The Rambam teaches that this showed the limits of human power and the supremacy of Hashem’s will.
Q: Why did the plague affect both humans and animals in Exodus 9:10?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 67b) explains that the inclusion of animals demonstrated Hashem’s complete dominion over all creation. It also punished the Egyptians for worshipping animals, reinforcing that only Hashem deserves reverence.
Q: How does the plague of boils relate to Jewish teachings about suffering?
A: The Midrash teaches that suffering can serve as a wake-up call for repentance. The boils afflicted the Egyptians to give them an opportunity to recognize Hashem’s authority and free the Israelites, but Pharaoh hardened his heart instead.