Moses tried to ask Pharaoh to free the Jews, but Pharaoh would not listen. So, Moses asked G-d to help him. G-d helped Moses change Pharaoh's by sending ten frightening things (plagues) to Pharoh and all who did not want to help the Jews.

After we recite each of the ten frightening things, you should take a drop of juice or wine out of your glass and put it on your plate (you can use a spoon, a finger or another utensil to reach inside your glass).

These are the ten plagues which God brought down on the Egyptians:

Blood | dam | דָּם

Frogs | tzfardeiya |  צְפַרְדֵּֽעַ

Lice | kinim | כִּנִּים

Beasts | arov | עָרוֹב

Cattle disease | dever | דֶּֽבֶר

Boils | sh’chin | שְׁחִין

Hail | barad | בָּרָד

Locusts | arbeh | אַרְבֶּה

Darkness | choshech | חֹֽשֶׁךְ

Death of the Firstborn | makat b’chorot | מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת

The Jews were told the last plague was coming, so all Jews painted sheep or lambs blood over their door post. It was only after the last frightening thing that Pharoh listened and let the Jews go free. The Jews quickly packed up as much as they could and baked some bread so quickly it did not have time to rise. So, they made matzah and then ran away from the Pharaoh as fast as they could.

But! After Pharaoh set all of his workers free, he realized no one was going to work for him. Pharaoh ran after the Jews with his soldiers. He wanted them back. 

The Jews had reached the Sea of Reeds when they noticed Pharaoh was coming after them. The Jews knew if they could cross to the other side of the sea, they would be free. G-d had been watching over the Jews running away and Pharaoh approaching them. G-d then opened a path in the middle of the Sea of Reeds and the Jews ran down the path to freedom. When the Jews were through, G-d closed the path so Pharaoh could not get through. The Jews were free!


haggadah Section: -- Ten Plagues