Post by Natan on Mar 14, 2018 7:04:56 GMT -5
I heard some interesting thoughts/questions from Rabbi Chayim Angel that could help enhance the discussion around this portion of the Seder.
Our traditional Haggadah has a perspective on these but it may not be the only opinion.
Questions:
- how do we know these are plagues? The Torah only refers to makat bechorot as a Makkah.
- how do we know there are 10? If we are counting “signs and wonders” there seem be more. Does hashem ever say he’s bringing ten?
- plagues themselves: is everyone in agreement about what each plague was? Or about who it impacted? Hint: which plagues specifically mention the Jews were not affected.
- supernatural nature: does everyone believe these were divine? Clearly the first two seem to be replicated and especially by dam it seems the mitzrim know how to get some water. Does anyone say these are natural occurrences? Would that change the story?
- the players: we focus on hashem, Moshe and pharaoh as we learn. Are there other recurring characters in the story? How do they perceive the events at hand?
Our traditional Haggadah has a perspective on these but it may not be the only opinion.
Questions:
- how do we know these are plagues? The Torah only refers to makat bechorot as a Makkah.
- how do we know there are 10? If we are counting “signs and wonders” there seem be more. Does hashem ever say he’s bringing ten?
- plagues themselves: is everyone in agreement about what each plague was? Or about who it impacted? Hint: which plagues specifically mention the Jews were not affected.
- supernatural nature: does everyone believe these were divine? Clearly the first two seem to be replicated and especially by dam it seems the mitzrim know how to get some water. Does anyone say these are natural occurrences? Would that change the story?
- the players: we focus on hashem, Moshe and pharaoh as we learn. Are there other recurring characters in the story? How do they perceive the events at hand?