Let My People Go - Exodus

The people of Egypt have suffered too much. They beg Pharaoh to let the Jews go. When Moses comes to warn Pharaoh of the eighth plague, Pharaoh says: You say that you want to go serve your God? I'll let the men go, as long as the women and children stay behind. No, says Moses, we must all go, men women and children, cattle and herds. Pharaoh once again refuses.

The next plagues descends upon Egypt:
8) A swarm of locusts devours all the crops and greenery;
9) A thick, palpable darkness envelops the land.

The Israelites are instructed to bring a "Passover offering" to God: a lamb is to be slaughtered and its blood sprinkled on the doorposts and lintel of every Israelite home, so that God should pass over these homes when He comes to kill the Egyptian firstborn. The roasted meat of the offering is to be eaten that night together with matzah and bitter herbs.

Then God brings the tenth plague upon Egypt:
10) All the firstborn of Egypt are killed at the stroke of midnight of the 15th of the month of Nissan.

The death of the firstborn finally breaks Pharaoh's resistance and he literally begs the Children of Israel to leave his land.

Following God's command, they hastily depart; so hastily that there is no time for their dough to rise, and the only provisions they take along are unleavened. Before they go, they ask their Egyptian neighbors for gold, silver and garments, emerging from Egypt a wealthy nation.

Soon after allowing the Children of Israel to depart from Egypt, Pharaoh chases after them to force their return, and the Israelites find themselves trapped between Pharaoh's armies and the sea. God tells Moses to raise his staff over the water. The Red sea splits to allow the Israelites to pass through and then closes over the pursuing Egyptians. 

The newly freed people will now head through the desert to the land that was promised to their ancestors.


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story
Source: Adapted from Chabbad.org, Art by Sefira Ross