The recitation of the 10 plagues is one of the most popular sections of the Pesach Seder. For some reason, we and our children are captivated by the recitation of the plagues.

However, we sometimes forget that the plagues brought death and destruction to the Egyptians and, even if we recognize that the defeat of the enslaving Egyptians was a necessary part of our redemption, how can we celebrate such destruction? How can we turn the plagues into games, songs or, the worst yet, the inspiration for molded chocolates designed to be eaten at the Seder? And, even if we find frogs funny, how can we celebrate the death of the first born including innocent Egyptian babies? (The 10^th plague is represented by a cradle, in a candy set I saw recently.) What have we become?

So, let me offer the following idea. Below, you will find 10 suggestions that we can do, one for each of the plagues, which will help to repair our world instead of celebrating the pain brought to the Egyptians. Some of these are stretches and if you have better ideas, please submit them to me by email and I will add them to the list.

Dam, blood. Give a pint of blood before Pesach. There is no greater act of tzedakah.

Tzfardea, frog. Singular not plural. The Rabbis say that one frog came up and called the others to join him. Let us, each of us, be an influence for constructive rather than destructive acts and get others to join us.

Kinim, lice. The word kinim is spelled like the word ken, "yes". Let us say "yes" when asked for help from someone, rather than a knee jerk "no".

Arov, wild animals. Let us spend a little extra time with the animals living under our roofs and show concern for endangered species throughout the world.

Dever, cattle disease. A little less meat maybe at the Seder, a little more healthful eating in the year to come.

Shchin, boils. Boils should remind us of heat. Seriously recognize the dangers, now scientifically proven, of global warming and do what we can to reduce our energy use.

Barad, hail. The Rabbis claimed that the hail stones which hit Egypt contained fire within them ... nes bitoch neys they claimed, a miracle inside a miracle. Let us treat life like the miracle it is and see to elevate the holiness of our lives through an appreciation for the world we live in.

Arbeh, locusts. Let us reach out our hands beyond our own walls and join in a community which can be a swarm of people acting for the good of all.

Hosech, darkness. The Torah is called Or, light. Let us commit ourselves to Torah study to bring light to the darkened corners of our lives and our world.

And finally makat bichorot, the 10^th plague. Let us take steps to see that all of our children in this nation and throughout the world are cared for, protected and loved. Let no child go without health care, no child go to bed hungry, no child, anywhere be denied the opportunity to grow in health and in freedom.

Our world is full of plagues and God has no one but us to stop them. And today's plagues are not selective. They affect all of us, no matter who we are, no matter where we live. The only way to stop them is to fight them. When the plagues are mentioned this year, even if we want to celebrate our ancient redemption, let us remember the pain they caused and the pain caused by plagues today. And instead of making fun, let us make commitments to complete the job God began at the Sea.

Robert Dobrusin, Rabbi
Copyright © 2007, Robert Dobrusin.
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This message was originally posted on March 21, 2007.

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