Exodus 9:26 - Divine protection for Israelites alone

Context in the Plagues of Egypt

The verse (Shemot 9:26) describes the seventh plague, barad (hail), which devastated Egypt but spared the land of Goshen where Bnei Yisrael resided. This follows the pattern of earlier plagues, where Hashem distinguished between Egypt and Israel, demonstrating His divine providence over His people.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (ad loc.) emphasizes that the absence of hail in Goshen was a clear miracle, as Goshen was geographically part of Egypt and thus naturally should have been affected. This distinction served as a sign that the plagues were directed by Hashem’s will, not natural phenomena.

Divine Protection and Separation

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 12:4) elaborates that Goshen was spared to fulfill the promise made to Avraham Avinu in Brit Bein HaBetarim (Bereishit 15:14), where Hashem assured that He would ultimately judge Egypt while protecting Israel. The selective nature of the plague reinforced the idea that Bnei Yisrael were under divine guardianship.

Moral and Theological Implications

• Hashgacha Pratit (Divine Providence): The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:17) discusses how such miracles affirm Hashem’s direct involvement in history, guiding the destiny of His people.
• Distinction Between Israel and Egypt: The Talmud (Berachot 9a) notes that the plagues highlighted the moral divide between Pharaoh’s oppression and Israel’s covenantal relationship with Hashem.

Goshen as a Symbol

The Kli Yakar (Shemot 9:26) suggests that Goshen’s exemption symbolizes the future redemption—just as Israel was shielded in Egypt, so too will they be protected in times of divine judgment. This foreshadows the eventual Exodus and the eternal bond between Hashem and Klal Yisrael.