Participant: “and God pulled us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and an outstretched arm, with great fear, and with signs and wonders.”

Participant: “and God pulled us out of Egypt." The Holy One Himself brought us out of Egypt, not by an angel, not by an angle of fire, not even by the hands of a messenger. He Himself, He the glorious One, He the blessed One, brought us out of Egypt. As the Bible says: “and I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and I will strike down all the first born men and beasts in the land of Egypt; I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, I the Lord.”

Participant: “And I will pass through the land of Egypt,” I, and not an angel. “And I will strike down the first born in the land of Egypt,” I, and not an angel of fire. “And I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt,” I, and not a messenger. “I the Lord, I, and not another.”

Participant:  What a curious passage. Why does God boast killing innocent children, be they Egyptian? Why did He mention it so often? Is he proud of it? One may study Midrashic and Talmudic sources in search of an explanation. In vain. And yet there must be one. Is he teaching us an essential lesson? That He allow may kill? And that no one has the right to imitate Him?


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story