Pharaoh thought himself a god. He believed he could do whatever he wanted to with individuals or entire peoples. He needed to learn the difficult lesson: there exists a Source of Power beyond the self.
A series of signs appeared, transformations of the expected world the Egyptians had come to take for granted. Some of these signs altered the natural realm, others shifted social interactions. Our Biblical text and ancient rabbis expressed these signs as though they occurred on a plane beyond human involvement. Today, we understand that we need to take an active role in the world we encounter, and in our own transformation.
In either case, whether affected by humans, divine or a combination, our redemption could not take place without a struggle. Due to that struggle, and the resultant loss of life, we take drops from our full cups of wine - this, then, symbolizes the diminution of our joy.
We remember also those who have died in their struggle for freedom. Our joy is diminished because of their sacrifice.
These are the ten Signs that the Holy One brought upon Egypt.
We have seen these old plagues made real in our own time.
Darkness descended over the Persian Gulf states. A physical, tangible darkness in the middle of the day.
Rivers of blood flow in once peaceful villages and cities. Other rivers burned red with flame, pollutants igniting what should give life.
In our world, as well, people treat others as objects they can control. We experience these as plagues of our existence.
Apathy, Brutality, Cruelty, Despair, Envy, Falsehood, Greed, Hatred, Insincerity, Jealousy...
These plagues afflict us in the world of politics about us as well as in the relationships we share with friends and families. There are even ways in which we oppress ourselves.
Our ancestors heeded the signs they saw about them in their day, will we respond to the signs we experience today as well?
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