Plagues of Egypt

The Plagues of Egypt (Hebrew: מכות מצרים, Makot Mitzrayim), the Biblical Plagues or the Ten Plagues (עשר המכות, Eser Ha-Makot) are the ten calamities inflicted upon Egypt by God in the Biblical story recounted the book of Exodus, chapters 7 - 12, in order to convince Pharaoh (possibly Ramesses II, making the pharaoh of the Oppression Djeserkheperure Horemheb) to let the Israelite slaves leave (see also Pharaoh of the Exodus).

1. (Exodus 7:14-25) » rivers and other water sources turned to blood ('Dam')
2. (Exodus 7:26-8:11) » amphibians (commonly believed to be frogs) ('Tsfardeia')
3. (Exodus 8:12-15) » lice ('Kinim')
4. (Exodus 8:16-28) » Either flies, wild animals or beetles ('Arov')
5. (Exodus 9:1-7) » disease on livestock ('Dever')
6. (Exodus 9:8-12) » unhealable boils ('Shkhin')
7. (Exodus 9:13-35) » hail mixed with fire ('Barad')
8. (Exodus 10:1-20) » locusts ('Arbeh')
9. (Exodus 10:21-29) » darkness ('Choshech')
10. (Exodus 11:1-12:36) » death of the firstborn ('Makat Bechorot')

Whereas all the other plagues did not affect the Israelites, the Torah indicates that they were only spared from the final plague by sacrificing the Paschal lamb, marking their doorpost with the lamb's blood, and eating the roasted sacrifice together with Matzot ("Poor Man's Bread" לחם עוני) in a celebratory feast. The Torah describes God as actually passing through Egypt to kill all firstborn, but passing over (hence "Passover") houses which have the sign of lambs' blood on the doorpost. It was this plague which resulted in Pharaoh finally relenting, and sending the Israelites away at whatever terms they wished.

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