hebrew
1)

Why does the Torah write "ha'Tzefarde'a" in the singular?

1.

Rashi #1 (citing the Tanchuma): In fact, only one frog emerged from the river, and, when the Egyptians began striking it, hordes of frogs began to swarm from it - the more they hit it, the more frogs emerged - until the whole of Egypt was full of frogs. 1

2.

Rashi #2: According to the simple explanation, the Torah tends to refer to a swarm in the singular. 2

1

In fact, this is the opinion of R. Akiva in Sanhedrin, 67b; according to R. Elazar ben Azaryah there, the frog that came up proceeded to call the frogs from all over to come and plague the Egyptians.

2

Rashi: As we find later (in Pasuk 13), in connection with the lice.

2)

Why did Hashem initially send only one frog?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: To give the Egyptians a chance to relent. 1

1

See Oznayim la'Torah. Had they done so, the frog would have disappeared. Only they opted to 'put out the fire with oil'

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