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Rhyming Haggadah: Ten Plagues
Contributed by Rabbi Scott Gurdin

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Cruel Pharaoh believed having slaves, it was fun

that's until God changed his mind with plague number one

Think where there's water

in oceans and sinks

in lakes and in clouds and in fountains for drinks

Now imagine the horror

to say nothing of dread

if all that clear water

should like blood become red 

Well in Egypt it happened

the Nile turned to blood

all the people they panicked

as red seeped through the mud 

Pharaoh seemed ready

to let the slaves go

but then the plaque ended

and Pharaoh said "No!

Pharaoh was stupid, he hadn't a clue

But God caught his attention with plague number two

You may know a frog

a tadpole from birth

now imagine if frogs

covered all of the earth

Well in Egypt it happened

frogs everywhere

in gardens and basements

on clothes and in hair

No one could stand it

the green and the slime  

and everywhere "ribbit"

certainly not a good time.

Pharaoh seemed ready 

to let the slaves go

but then the plague ended

and Pharaoh said "No!"

Pharaoh was foolish, believing the bad was no more

until there appeared plagues three and then four

After frogs, there came lice

causing itching and scratching

and then came the beasts

with their growling and snatching

With each plague, Pharaoh seemed ready

to let the slaves go

but then the plague ended

and Pharaoh said "No!"

Pharaoh believed that the plagues were just tricks

until God opened his eyes with plagues five and then six

Along came a sickness that killed all livestock

the cattle, the camels, the sheep in the flock

And after that plague came boils o' so sore

all the people were screaming,

they could bear it no more.

And yet again with each plague, Pharaoh seemed ready

to let the slaves go

 but then the plague ended

and Pharaoh said "No!"

The worn out Egyptians then faced plague number seven

as hail it poured forth from the reaches of heaven

there was no escaping the hard ice as it struck

it seemed certain that Pharaoh had run out of luck

And again, Pharaoh seemed ready

to let the slaves go

but then the plague ended

and Pharaoh said "No!"

Just when Pharaoh perceived a slight change in his fate

God tormented Egypt with a plague number eight

Locusts are insects,

in great swarms they do fly

hovering over the horizon

they darken the sky

Locusts cause trouble where ever they land

for they eat all the crops

and make fields become sand

Well in Egypt they landed

and they ate all the wheat

the people soon panicked

afraid of nothing to eat

And yet again, Pharaoh seemed ready

to let the slaves go

but then the plague ended

and Pharaoh said "No"!

Pharaoh relaxed for he thought all was fine

But then God struck his kingdom with plague number nine

Try to think, if you will

of a day without light

incredible darkness

a terrible fright

Well, in Egypt it happened

the sun didn't shine

Not a thing could be seen,

just a horrible time

Once again, Pharaoh seemed ready

to let the slaves go

but then the plague ended

and Pharaoh said "No!"

Pharaoh was stubborn,

he thought he was smart

with the end of each plague he would harden his heart

he was cruel, he was foolish, he was dumb, he was mean

to ignore all the warnings of that God yet unseen

The God of compassion had really no choice

for Pharaoh would not listen to God's clear holy voice

The Hebrews still suffered

slavery without end

God demanded freedom, but Pharaoh just wouldn't bend

I shudder to tell you of plague number ten

it was tragic and painful

it was it was very sad when ...

…When on that still and restless night ...

the angel of death passed through Egypt

causing sorrow, leaving fright.

All the first born Egyptians

where wealthy or poor

there were no exceptions

each went through death's dark door

The anguish was felt in every city and town

the kingdom was shattered

only death to be found

And then, in the shadow of that awesome tragedy 

there emerged a small ray of hope  

Pharaoh finally relented

he gave up and repented

no more plagues, nor more death could he cope

Pharaoh was defeated, his arrogance depleted

the moment of truth had arrived

the Hebrews went free

what a great victory!

That brit, God's great promise survived.

(Leaving a drop of wine/juice for each plague:

Dam/Blood, Tzfardeya/Frogs, Kinim/Lice, Arov/Wild Beasts, Dever/Blight, Sh'hin/Boils, Barad/Hail, Arbeh/Locusts, Hoshech/Darkness, Makat B'chorot/Slaying of the First Born

Our ancestors found freedom

on that incredible night

by the thousands they left Egypt

what a staggering sight!

There's much more to our story

of traditions so dear

of wonders to tell you

so much you should hear

But for the moment, at least, I think that we've told

enough of our story, of our God strong and bold

The story is wondrous

it's yours and it's mine

it's my hope and my prayer

that in freedom you'll find ... 

 ... All of the opportunity 

to learn and to grow

to read and to listen

more Torah you'll know
haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: A Family Pesach Seder in Rhyme

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