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Exodus 9:22 - Divine power over nature's fury

Exodus 9:22 - שמות 9:22

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה נְטֵה אֶת־יָדְךָ עַל־הַשָּׁמַיִם וִיהִי בָרָד בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם עַל־הָאָדָם וְעַל־הַבְּהֵמָה וְעַל כָּל־עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, Stretch out thy hand towards heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Miżrayim, on man and beast, and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe nete et-yad'cha al-hashamayim vi'yehi varad b'khol-eretz Mitzrayim al-ha'adam v'al-habehema v'al kol-esev hasadeh b'eretz Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה נְטֵ֤ה אֶת־יָֽדְךָ֙ עַל־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וִיהִ֥י בָרָ֖ד בְּכׇל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם עַל־הָאָדָ֣ם וְעַל־הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה וְעַ֛ל כׇּל־עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה נְטֵ֤ה אֶת־יָֽדְךָ֙ עַל־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וִיהִ֥י בָרָ֖ד בְּכׇל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם עַל־הָאָדָ֣ם וְעַל־הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה וְעַ֛ל כׇּל־עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Plague of Hail

This verse (Shemot 9:22) describes the seventh plague brought upon Egypt—the plague of hail (ברד). According to Rashi, this plague was particularly severe because it combined fire and ice, demonstrating Hashem's absolute control over nature. The hail destroyed crops, livestock, and even people who did not heed Moshe's warning to seek shelter.

The Significance of "Stretch Out Your Hand Toward Heaven"

Ramban explains that Moshe was commanded to raise his hand toward the heavens to symbolize that the hail came from the Divine realm, emphasizing that this was not a natural disaster but a direct act of Hashem. The Midrash Tanchuma adds that this gesture also served as a warning to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, giving them another opportunity to repent before the plague struck.

The Targets of the Plague

  • Man and Beast: The plague affected both humans and animals, showing that no living creature in Egypt was beyond Hashem's judgment (Ibn Ezra).
  • Every Plant of the Field: The hail destroyed Egypt's agricultural wealth, fulfilling the warning in Shemot 9:18 that this would be the most severe hailstorm in Egypt's history (Sforno).

Divine Precision in Judgment

The Talmud (Berachot 59a) notes that the hail did not fall in Goshen, where Bnei Yisrael lived, demonstrating Hashem's ability to execute judgment with exact precision. The Malbim explains that this distinction highlighted the difference between the Egyptians, who oppressed the Israelites, and the Israelites themselves, who were under Divine protection.

Lessons from the Plague

Rabbeinu Bachya teaches that the plague of hail was meant to break Pharaoh's arrogance, as he believed himself to be a god controlling nature. The unnatural combination of fire and ice within the hail served as a clear refutation of this belief. Additionally, the Chizkuni emphasizes that this plague reinforced the principle of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure)—just as Pharaoh sought to drown Jewish infants in the Nile, he was punished with water (hail) from above.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

The verse is discussed in the context of the plagues in Egypt, emphasizing the power of God's command to Moses.
📖 Pesachim 118a
Referenced in a discussion about the miracles performed in Egypt, highlighting the severity of the hail plague.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean when Hashem tells Moshe to 'stretch out his hand toward heaven'?
A: When Hashem tells Moshe to stretch out his hand toward heaven (Exodus 9:22), it symbolizes that the power to bring the plague of hail comes directly from Hashem. Rashi explains that this gesture demonstrates that the plagues were not natural events but divine miracles, showing Hashem's complete control over nature.
Q: Why did the plague of hail specifically target people, animals, and plants in Egypt?
A: The hail struck people, animals, and plants (Exodus 9:22) to show that Hashem's judgment was all-encompassing. The Midrash teaches that this was a measure-for-measure punishment—Egypt enslaved the Israelites, who were likened to 'the children of the field,' so their fields were destroyed. Additionally, Rambam notes that the plagues progressively increased in severity to give Pharaoh more opportunities to repent.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of hail?
A: The plague of hail (Exodus 9:22) teaches us about Hashem's absolute power and justice. The Talmud (Berachot 59a) states that natural disasters are reminders of divine judgment. This plague also highlights that those who harden their hearts against truth, like Pharaoh, will face consequences, while those who heed warnings (like the Egyptians who feared Hashem’s word and brought their servants and livestock inside) can be spared.
Q: How does this verse show Hashem's mercy even during punishment?
A: Though the hail was destructive (Exodus 9:22), Hashem gave a warning beforehand (Exodus 9:18-19), allowing those who feared His word to protect themselves and their livestock. The Ramban explains that this demonstrates Hashem’s mercy—He does not desire destruction but gives opportunities for repentance. Even in judgment, He tempers justice with compassion.
Q: Why was the plague of hail directed at the 'heavens'?
A: The hail came from the heavens (Exodus 9:22) to show that even the higher realms—symbolizing Egypt’s false gods of sky and nature—were under Hashem’s control. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 12:5) explains that this was a direct challenge to Egypt’s idolatry, proving that Hashem alone governs all forces, celestial and earthly.