As we read the 10 plagues, we spill drops of wine from our cups, mourning the suffering the Egyptians endured so that we could be free. This year, as these drops spread across our plates, let us turn our hearts toward the millions of people around the world suffering today’s plagues of hatred, prejudice, baseless violence and war.

Blood | dam | דָּם 
We comfort and mourn for those whose blood has been spilled.

Frogs | tzfardeiya | צְפַרְדֵּֽעַ 
We protest the proliferation of violence.

Lice | kinim | כִּנִּים 
We stop infestations of fear and hatred.

Beasts | arov | עָרוֹב 
We appeal to all people to act with humanity.

Cattle disease | dever | דֶּֽבֶר 
We overcome the sickness of racism and bigotry.

Boils | sh’chin | שְׁחִין 
We tend to those who suffer from disease.

Hail | barad | בָּרָד 
We respond to storms and disasters that claim lives.

Locusts | arbeh | אַרְבֶּה 
We fill the air with voices for change.

Darkness | choshech | חֹֽשֶׁךְ   
We bring light to those who live in the shadows.

Death of the Firstborn | makat b’chorot | מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת
We inspire the next generation to carry on the struggle for a better world.

The Egyptians needed ten plagues because after each one they were able to come up with excuses and explanations rather than change their behaviour. Could we be making the same mistakes? Make up your own list. What are the plagues in your life? What are the plagues in our world today? What behaviours do we need to change to fix them?


haggadah Section: -- Ten Plagues
Source: AJWS