We know the story: the final plague, the death of the firstborn, the Israelites’ dramatic escape. But have you ever stopped to consider the fear, the chaos, the sheer desperation of that night?
The Torah tells us of the plague that finally broke Pharaoh's stubborn will. But the Legends of the Jews, that incredible compilation of rabbinic stories and lore gathered by Louis Ginzberg, gives us a glimpse into the heart-wrenching choices some Egyptians made.
Imagine being an Egyptian parent, hearing the warnings of Moses, seeing the devastation of the previous plagues. You might have started to believe, just a little, that maybe, just maybe, Moses spoke the truth. The Legends tell us that some Egyptians did believe. So what did they do?
Desperate to save their firstborn, they sent them to their Hebrew neighbors, hoping that God would spare any house sheltering a child of Israel. Think about that for a moment. It’s an act of incredible faith, born of unimaginable fear. Placing your child, the most precious thing in your life, into the hands of those you’ve enslaved, trusting in the power of a God you don’t fully understand.
But here’s the truly devastating part. The Legends continue: in the morning, when the Israelites awoke, they found the corpses of these Egyptian children beside them.
Can you imagine the horror? The shock? The grief?
According to the Legends, this wasn't just some random occurrence. It was the work of Satan himself, causing "frightful bloodshed among the Egyptians." It adds a whole other layer to the story. This wasn’t just about divine justice; it was a cosmic battle between good and evil. A terrifying night.
And what were the Israelites doing while all this was unfolding?
The Legends tell us they were praying. Praying for peace, for protection. The prayer they recited before sleep that night, "Cause us, O Lord our God, to lie down in peace, remove Satan from before us and from behind us, and guard our going out and our coming in unto life and unto peace," speaks volumes. It’s a prayer for divine protection, a plea against the chaos and violence swirling around them. It’s a prayer for shalom, for wholeness, in the face of utter devastation.
It makes you wonder: what price freedom? The Exodus is a story of liberation, of the triumph of good over evil. But as we learn from the Legends, it’s also a story steeped in tragedy, a reminder that even in moments of great triumph, there can be profound loss and suffering. It's a reminder to pray for shalom in a world that so desperately needs it.