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Exodus 9:25 - Divine judgment targets Egypt's sustenance

Exodus 9:25 - שמות 9:25

Hebrew Text

וַיַּךְ הַבָּרָד בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר בַּשָּׂדֶה מֵאָדָם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָה וְאֵת כָּל־עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה הִכָּה הַבָּרָד וְאֶת־כָּל־עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה שִׁבֵּר׃

English Translation

And the hail smote throughout all the land of Miżrayim all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every plant of the field, and broke every tree of the field.

Transliteration

Va'yakh ha'barad b'khol-eretz Mitzrayim et kol-asher ba'sadeh me'adam v'ad-beheima v'et kol-esev ha'sadeh hikah ha'barad v'et-kol-etz ha'sadeh shiber.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֨ךְ הַבָּרָ֜ד בְּכׇל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם אֵ֚ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה מֵאָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־עֵ֤שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה֙ הִכָּ֣ה הַבָּרָ֔ד וְאֶת־כׇּל־עֵ֥ץ הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה שִׁבֵּֽר׃
וַיַּ֨ךְ הַבָּרָ֜ד בְּכׇל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם אֵ֚ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה מֵאָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־עֵ֤שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה֙ הִכָּ֣ה הַבָּרָ֔ד וְאֶת־כׇּל־עֵ֥ץ הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה שִׁבֵּֽר׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Plague of Hail in Egypt

The verse describes the seventh plague—the plague of hail—that struck Egypt, as recorded in Shemot (Exodus) 9:25. This plague was unique in its destructive power, affecting humans, animals, vegetation, and trees. The Torah emphasizes its comprehensive devastation with the repetition of "כָּל" (all), underscoring that no part of Egyptian life was spared.

Rashi's Commentary on the Hail's Impact

Rashi (Shemot 9:25) notes that the hail was miraculous in its precision. While it destroyed everything in the field, it did not harm the Israelites in Goshen (Shemot 9:26). Additionally, Rashi explains that the phrase "וְאֶת־כָּל־עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה שִׁבֵּר" (and broke every tree of the field) refers to the hail's ability to strip trees of their bark and branches, rendering them useless. This aligns with the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 12:5), which describes the hail as containing fire within the ice, amplifying its destructive force.

The Dual Nature of the Hail

The Talmud (Berachot 54b) highlights the miraculous nature of the hail, which combined fire and ice—elements that normally cancel each other out. Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:29) interprets this as a demonstration of Hashem's absolute control over nature, showing that He can suspend natural laws to execute divine judgment.

The Moral Lesson of the Plague

The Midrash Tanchuma (Va'eira 14) teaches that this plague was a punishment for the Egyptians' cruelty in forcing the Israelites to work in the fields under harsh conditions. The destruction of the fields and trees symbolized the undoing of Egypt's economic exploitation, as their agricultural wealth was a direct result of Israelite labor.

Key Takeaways from the Verse

  • Divine Precision: The hail selectively targeted the Egyptians while sparing the Israelites, demonstrating Hashem's justice.
  • Supernatural Power: The combination of fire and ice in the hail defied natural laws, proving Hashem's dominion over creation.
  • Moral Retribution: The destruction of Egypt's fields and trees served as poetic justice for their oppression of Bnei Yisrael.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 54b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the miracles performed in Egypt, particularly the plague of hail, as part of the broader discussion on the obligation to recite blessings over miracles.
📖 Ta'anit 7a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the power of prayer and divine intervention, using the plague of hail as an example of God's control over natural phenomena.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 9:25 teach us about the plague of hail in Egypt?
A: Exodus 9:25 describes the devastating effects of the seventh plague, where hail struck all of Egypt, destroying crops, trees, animals, and even people in the fields. According to Rashi, this plague demonstrated Hashem's complete control over nature and His ability to distinguish between the Egyptians and the Israelites, as Goshen (where the Israelites lived) was spared (Exodus 9:26).
Q: Why was the plague of hail particularly severe?
A: The hail was uniquely severe because it combined fire and ice (Exodus 9:24), a supernatural phenomenon. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 12:2) explains that this showed Hashem's power over contradictory forces. Additionally, Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) teaches that such miracles serve as reminders of divine providence and the consequences of resisting Hashem's will.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of hail today?
A: The plague teaches that Hashem intervenes in the world to uphold justice. The Talmud (Berachot 54a) states that one must recite a blessing upon seeing natural disasters, acknowledging divine judgment. Today, we learn to recognize Hashem's hand in events and to repent, as Pharaoh’s stubbornness led to greater suffering.
Q: How did the hail affect Egypt's economy?
A: The hail destroyed Egypt’s agriculture—crops, trees, and livestock—which were vital to their economy. The Midrash (Tanchuma Va’era 14) notes that this was a measure-for-measure punishment, as Pharaoh had oppressed the Israelites with harsh labor in building projects (using clay and straw, which depend on agricultural prosperity).
Q: Why were some plants later able to grow after the hail (Exodus 10:5)?
A: Rashi (Exodus 10:5) explains that the hail destroyed only the early crops (flax and barley), while the later crops (wheat and spelt) were spared because they had not yet fully grown. This allowed a remnant to survive, showing that Hashem’s punishments are precise and leave room for repentance—until the final plague, which left no escape.