TEN PLAGUES

1) Five times two -

The Hagadah implies that the ten Makos can be viewed conceptually, as five sets of two. How so?

2) Reason -

Why did the Redemption have to come about through great plagues, which would befall Pharaoh and all of Egypt?

3) Sequence -

Why did the Ten Plagues come specifically in this order?

4) Lessons -

What lessons was Pharaoh (and indeed we as well) supposed to learn from the Makos?

5) Why ten? -

What is the significance of the number 10, in the context of the Ten Plagues (based on Maharal)?

PATTERNS IN THE PLAGUES

6) Warning to Pharaoh -

Why, by some of the plagues did Moshe warn Pharaoh, yet by others, he did not?

7) Location of the warnings -

Why do the Makos follow a set pattern: In the first out of each set of three Makos, Moshe confronted Pharaoh at the Nile; in the second, at the palace; and the third had no warning at all?

DURATION OF THE PLAGUES

8) Makas Bechoros -

Rashi (to Shemos 7:25) writes that Moshe issued warnings to Pharaoh prior to each plague, for three-quarters of a month; followed by the plague itself which lasted a quarter-month (i.e. seven days). But in what sense did Makas Bechoros last seven days? It would seem that it was over in one moment!

9) Moshe's prayers -

Rashi (to Shemos 7:25) writes that each plague lasted seven days. But the Torah tells us that in the plagues of Tzefarde'a, Arov, Barad, and Arbeh (Shemos 8:8, 8:26, 9:33, 10:18 ), Moshe prayed that the plague should end. If seven days had already elapsed, why did Moshe have to pray? And if seven days had not yet passed, then the plague was not in force for its full duration!

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