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Exodus 9:11 - Magic fails before divine power.

Exodus 9:11 - שמות 9:11

Hebrew Text

וְלֹא־יָכְלוּ הַחַרְטֻמִּים לַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי מֹשֶׁה מִפְּנֵי הַשְּׁחִין כִּי־הָיָה הַשְּׁחִין בַּחֲרְטֻמִּם וּבְכָל־מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And the magicians could not stand before Moshe because of the pox; for the pox was on the magicians, and on all Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Velo yakhlu hachartumim la'amod lifnei Moshe mipnei hashekhin ki haya hashekhin bachartumim uvkhol Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְלֹֽא־יָכְל֣וּ הַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֗ים לַעֲמֹ֛ד לִפְנֵ֥י מֹשֶׁ֖ה מִפְּנֵ֣י הַשְּׁחִ֑ין כִּֽי־הָיָ֣ה הַשְּׁחִ֔ין בַּֽחַרְטֻמִּ֖ם וּבְכׇל־מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וְלֹֽא־יָכְל֣וּ הַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֗ים לַעֲמֹ֛ד לִפְנֵ֥י מֹשֶׁ֖ה מִפְּנֵ֣י הַשְּׁחִ֑ין כִּֽי־הָיָ֣ה הַשְּׁחִ֔ין בַּֽחַרְטֻמִּ֖ם וּבְכׇל־מִצְרָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Inability of the Magicians to Stand Before Moshe

The verse states that the Egyptian magicians (chartumim) could not stand before Moshe due to the affliction of shechin (boils or pox). Rashi (Shemot 9:11) explains that this plague was particularly humiliating for the magicians because they were afflicted in the very area they prided themselves on—their hands and bodies, which they used for sorcery. Their inability to stand before Moshe demonstrated the superiority of divine power over their illusions.

The Nature of the Shechin Affliction

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 11:9) elaborates that the shechin was not merely a physical ailment but a spiritual degradation. Unlike previous plagues, where the magicians attempted to replicate Hashem's miracles (albeit through trickery), this plague rendered them powerless. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:16) emphasizes that this event served as a clear refutation of Egyptian sorcery, proving that their abilities were null before the will of the Almighty.

The Distinction Between Egypt and the Israelites

Ibn Ezra (Shemot 9:11) notes that the verse specifies the affliction was upon "all Egypt," excluding Bnei Yisrael. This distinction highlights divine providence—while the Egyptians suffered, the Israelites remained unscathed. The Talmud (Chullin 7b) further teaches that this differentiation was a fulfillment of Hashem's promise to separate His people from the plagues, reinforcing their chosen status.

Lessons from the Magicians' Humiliation

  • Divine Supremacy: The magicians' inability to stand before Moshe symbolized the futility of opposing Hashem's will (Malbim, Shemot 9:11).
  • Limits of Human Power: Their affliction demonstrated that even those who claimed supernatural abilities were subject to divine retribution (Sforno, Shemot 9:11).
  • Moral Consequence: The plague targeted their arrogance, as they had previously hardened Pharaoh's heart by mimicking earlier miracles (Ramban, Shemot 9:11).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 11a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the plagues in Egypt and the inability of the Egyptian magicians to stand before Moses due to the plague of boils.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 9:11 mean when it says the magicians couldn't stand before Moshe?
A: This verse describes how the Egyptian magicians (chartumim) were physically unable to stand before Moshe during the plague of boils (shechin). According to Rashi, this shows that they were completely overpowered by this plague, unlike previous plagues where they tried to replicate Moshe's miracles. Their inability to stand demonstrates the superiority of Hashem's power over Egyptian magic.
Q: Why were the magicians specifically affected by the boils in Exodus 9:11?
A: The Midrash explains that the magicians were particularly afflicted because they had arrogantly opposed Moshe and Aaron earlier by attempting to replicate the first plagues (like turning staffs into snakes). This plague humbled them by showing they had no power against Hashem's true miracles. The Rambam notes this demonstrated that Egyptian magic was powerless against divine will.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 9:11 about challenges to faith?
A: The verse teaches that no human power or deception (like the magicians' tricks) can stand against Hashem's truth. As the Talmud (Sanhedrin 67b) discusses, this shows that authentic divine miracles cannot be replicated by magic or human cleverness. It reminds us to recognize Hashem's absolute authority in our lives.
Q: How does the plague of boils in Exodus 9:11 differ from earlier plagues?
A: Rashi points out that this was the first plague where the magicians were completely overwhelmed and couldn't even stand before Moshe. Unlike earlier plagues (like blood or frogs) where they attempted imitation, here they were personally afflicted and humbled. This marked a turning point where Egypt's 'wisdom' was shown to be powerless.
Q: Why does Exodus 9:11 emphasize that the boils were on 'all Egypt'?
A: The Torah stresses this to show the comprehensive nature of the plague - no Egyptian, from the lowest slave to Pharaoh's magicians, was spared. The Ibn Ezra explains this universal affliction proved the plague wasn't natural but a deliberate divine punishment affecting the entire nation that enslaved Bnei Yisrael.