The Plagues of Egypt (Hebrew: מִצְרַיִם מכות, makkah Mitsrayim) 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 to let the Israelite slaves leave.
The plagues as they appear in the Torah are:
1. (Ex 7:14-25) rivers and other water sources turned to blood (דָם 'Dam')
2. (Ex 7:26-8:11) amphibians (commonly believed to be frogs) (צְּפַרְדֵּעַ 'Tsfardeia')
3. (Ex 8:12-15) lice (כִנִּים 'Kinim')
4. (Ex 8:16-28) Either flies, wild animals or beetles (עָרוֹב 'Arov')
5. (Ex 9:1-7) disease on livestock (דֶּבֶר 'Dever')
6. (Ex 9:8-12) unhealable boils (שְׁחִין 'Shkhin')
7. (Ex 9:13-35) hail mixed with fire (בָּרָד 'Barad')
8. (Ex 10:1-20) locusts (אַרְבֶּה 'Arbeh')
9. (Ex 10:21-29) darkness (חוֹשֶך 'Choshech')
10. (Ex 11:1-12:36) death of the firstborn (מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת '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.
The Torah also relates God's instructions to Moses that the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt must be celebrated yearly on the holiday of Passover ("Pesah" פסח); the rituals observed on Passover recall the events surrounding the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah additionally cites God's sparing of the Israelite firstborn as a rationale for the commandment of the redemption of the firstborn (Exodus 13:11-16).
This event is also commemorated by the fast of the firstborn on the day preceding Passover but which is traditionally not observed because a siyum celebration is held which obviates the need for a fast.
The plagues of Egypt are recognized by Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
The first three plagues seemed to affect "all the land of Egypt," while the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th did not affect the children of Israel. Conditions of the 8th plague are unclear. For the last plague 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 (לחם עוני) in a celebratory feast. The Torah describes the angel of death as actually passing through Egypt to kill all firstborn children, but passing over (hence "Passover") houses which have the sign of lambs' blood on the doorpost. The night of this plague, Pharaoh finally relents and sends the Israelites away under their terms.
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